Experimental characterization of nonlinear transmission lines for amplification of short pulses

Pulse propagation on nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs), which are transmission lines with regularly spaced Schottky varactors, is experimentally investigated for the amplification of short pulses. We recently found that the soliton developed in an NLTL experiences an exponential amplitude growth, when it couples with an existing voltage edge. Using a test NLTL, we successfully demonstrate the pulse amplification through time-domain measurements. The voltage edge becomes steeper as it travels further, because the nonlinearity leads to the shock formation. This steep edge contributes to the pulse amplification even for the presence of the large parasitic resistance of inductors.