Multi-kilovolt solid-state picosecond switch studies

Repetitive solid state picosecond switching is being developed for application to electromagnetic impulse sources. Low jitter and fast risetime are required to synchronize multiple modules of radiating array sources. While laser controlled photoconducting switches provide low jitter, they are expensive and have limited lifetime. We are studying an alternative technology using delayed avalanche breakdown semiconductor closing switches to drive arrays of impulse radiating antennas. The devices are rapidly pulse charged to enable low jitter picosecond switching. Single devices have demonstrated hold-off voltage exceeding 3 kV for silicon and 6 kV for silicon carbide. The silicon devices have demonstrated reliable operation at kilohertz repetition rates providing risetimes of approximately 100 ps.