Tunable pulse generators based on Drift-Step Recovery effect in COTS power rectifier diodes

This study reports several design approaches and their experimental verification to create tunable pulse generator based on Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) power rectifier diodes driven for fast switching in Drift Step Recovery Mode (DSRD) mode. Two major pulse generation schemes are explored to charge/discharge the internal inductive-capacitive energy storage with single and dual (cascaded) DSRD switch circuits. Key research and design methodology behind both designs is discussed. Major simulated and measured results are in a good agreement to each other.