20-Kilovolt Delta-Function Generator

Abstract

An electronically triggered impulse generator has been developed which produces 20 kilovolt pulses having rise times of less than 0.6 millimicrosecond. When used with a shorting stub, this instrument produces delta-function pulses of less than 2.5 millimicrosecond total width at full amplitude. The functions of primary pulse generation and pulse sharpening are separated. A special 50-ohm coaxial switch was constructed of hydrogen thyratrons to produce 20 kilovolt primary pulses of arbitrary length and having rise times of less than 1.75 millimicroseconds. When triggered by a 2–500 volt pulse of 5 millimicroseconds rise time, the over-all jitter of the system is of the order of 1 millimicrosecond.