High-speed sample and hold using low temperature grown GaAs MSM switches for photonic A/D conversion

Summary form only given. With the evergrowing demand for bandwidth, the need for high-speed A/D converters operating at GSa/s sampling rates has emerged in the areas of radar and microwave communications. As a solution, the idea of combining the low jitter and high speed advantages of photonics with electrical A/D converters has spawned a number of photonic A/D conversion systems. In our system, we utilize a sample and hold scheme with LT grown GaAs MSM switches. The short recombination lifetime and high mobility of LT GaAs allow high-speed operation with good sensitivity. Optically triggered by a short-pulse laser, the switches would be attached to a transmission line and would sample the input electrical signal onto a hold capacitor.