Solid-state to 1.0 kV nanosecond pulse generator

A circuit is described which, using transistors in the avalanche mode, is capable of producing high-voltage rectangular pulses with predominantly capacitive loads. The pulse amplitude is variable between 500 and 1000 V, and, with a 50 pF load capacitance, risetimes and falltimes are approximately 6 ns. The pulsewidth is continuously variable between 50 ns and 5 ¿s, and the maximum pulse-recurrence frequency is 25 kHz. Jitter is less than 100ps. Fast risetimes and falltimes are obtained by using separate avalanche stages to generate the leading and trailing edges of the pulse. The high rates of change of load voltage (¿1.3×1011 Vs-1) result in significant problems due to capacitive coupling between the stages, and the prevention of crosstriggering is a major consideration in the circuit design