Development of terahertz pulse time-domain reflectometry system for transmission line failure analysis

A time-domain reflectometry (TDR) unit is developed that scans for faults in transmission lines with high spatial resolution by transmitting a terahertz wave pulse down the transmission line and measuring the reflected wave. Photoconductive switches illuminated by femtosecond laser pulses are used for generating and detecting wideband electrical pulses. By this method, failure points in transmission lines can be identified at a resolution surpassing that of conventional electrical TDR.