Pulse generation and measurement of radiated waveforms from an optically activated impulse generator

The generation of extremely narrow, high peak power pulses using an optically activated impulse generator has been demonstrated. Radiative measurements at 1 Hz pulse repetition frequency have been conducted by pulse biasing this device up to 15 kV and subsequently triggering the device with an optical pulse from a Nd:YAG laser. The measured pulse from a wideband antenna had a pulsewidth of 1.5 ns, with a risetime of 900 ps. The frequency spectrum of this radiated waveform ranged from 50 MHz to 1 GHz. The peak field improved substantially as the bias voltage was increased from 9 kV to 15 kV. This may be attributed to the faster risetime at higher bias voltages, which can be radiated more efficiently.<>