Improved Techniques for the Measurement of High-Voltage Impulses Using the Electrooptic Kerr Effect

The purpose of this paper is to present two methods of accumulating, analyzing, and presenting in real time the data generated by a Kerr system in response to a high-voltage impulse. These methods provide immediate information concerning selected electrical parameters in a form which is easily interpretable by most personnel. The first method uses an electronic counter to determine the number of optical transmittance maxima, i.e., light pulses, duritg the high-voltage impulse. From this count, the peak value of impulse can be calculated. The second method, which can be more accurate and does provide information concerning waveshape, uses a digital recorder to store the output waveform from the Kerr system. A computer is then used to reconstruct the voltage impulse and to determine such parameters as the peak value and risetime of the impulse.