Sub-nanosecond avalanche transistor drivers for low impedance pulsed power applications

Ultra compact, short pulse, high voltage, high current pulsers are needed for a variety of non-linear electrical and optical applications. With a fast risetime and short pulse width, these drivers are capable of producing sub-nanosecond electrical and thus optical pulses by gain switching semiconductor laser diodes. Gain-switching of laser diodes requires a sub-nanosecond pulser capable of driving a low output impedance (5 /spl Omega/ or less). Optical pulses obtained had risetimes as fast as 20 ps. The designed pulsers also could be used for triggering photo-conductive semiconductor switches (PCSS), gating high speed optical imaging systems, and providing electrical and optical sources for fast transient sensor applications. Building on concepts from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the development of pulsers based on solid state avalanche transistors was adapted to drive low impedances. As each successive stage is avalanched in the circuit, the amount of overvoltage increases, increasing the switching speed and improving the turn on time of the output pulse at the final stage. The output of the pulser is coupled into the load using a Blumlein configuration.