Flexible 50-Ohm high-voltage nanosecond pulse generator

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields on the order of hundreds of volts per centimeter have shown an ability to alter the structure and functions of biological cells. The effects are dependent on the electric pulse parameters. In order to establish dose-effect relationships, generators that can produce powerful pulses with adjustable duration, amplitude and shape are needed but still unusual. In this paper, we present a robust and flexible generator built on the frozen wave generator concept that can output pulses up to 13.1 kV and with duration in the nanosecond and subnanosecond ranges. High-voltage silicon rectifier diodes sealed in a semi-translucent glass package and embedded in a coaxial line are used as switch elements.