Generation of short electrical pulses by photoconductive semiconductor switches triggered with a high-power laser diode

Abstract

Microstrip line pulse generators based on gallium arsenide (GaAs) photoconductive semiconductor switches have been fabricated and tested experimentally. The GaAs photoconductive semiconductor switches were optically triggered with a 70 W, 85 ns duration (FWHM) high power laser diode. Short electrical pulses have been obtained and reported with practical applications emphasized. The risetimes and the durations of the output electric pulses can be less than 2 ns and 6 ns, respectively, which are in remarkable contrast to the 20 ns risetimes and the 85 ns durations of the activating optical pulses.