Ultra-low-jitter repetitive solid state picosecond switching

Ultra-low-jitter repetitive solid state picosecond switching is being developed for application to electromagnetic impulse sources. Ultra-low-jitter and fast risetime are required to synchronize multiple modules of radiating array sources. Laser controlled photoconducting switches provide low jitter but have limited lifetime and are too expensive for many commercial applications. The authors are studying an alternative method using inexpensive delayed avalanche breakdown semiconductor closing switches in an artificial transmission line configuration to generate powerful electromagnetic shockwaves. As an example of the new technology, the authors present experimental results for a miniature (volume <25 cm/sup 3/) 3 kV pulser which provides RMS jitter of 16 ps with 100 ps risetime at 2 kHz repetition rate. The miniature pulser employs 18 delayed breakdown silicon avalanche switches in a differential shockline topology. SPICE-based circuit modeling results are compared to experimental measurements. The circuit modeling includes effects of stray capacity and a Monte-Carlo jitter analysis. The picosecond pulsers can be used for impulse sources, Pockels cell drivers, trigger generators and pulse power applications. The modeling techniques are applicable to Marx generators and circuits containing large numbers of switches with capacitive cross coupling.