Optimization and characterization of a 1.5 kV, 100 sp rise time, all-solid-state pulse generator

• Published in: 2008 IEEE 35th International Conference on Plasma Science p. 1
• Main Authors: Merensky, L.M., Kardo-Sysoev, A.F., Flerov, A.N., Pokryvailo, A., Shmilovitz, D., Kesar, A.S.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.06.2008
• Subjects: Generators; Optimization
• ISBN: 1424419298; 9781424419296
• ISSN: 0730-9244; 2576-7208
• DOI: 10.1109/PLASMA.2008.4591190

A state-of-the-art, all-solid-state sub-nanosecond pulse generator is presented. The generator is characterized by three compression stages. The first stage uses a power MOSFET that initially provides current increase in the storage inductor and then breaks the current. The second stage uses a 3 kV drift step recovery diode that cuts the reverse current rapidly to create a less than 1 nanosecond rise time pulse to charge a peaking capacitor. In the last stage, a silicon-avalanche shaper is used as a fast closing switch to discharge the capacitor. A 100 ps rise time, 1.5 kV output with 250 ps FWHM to a 50 Ohm load was achieved at a high pulse repetition frequency of up to 60 kHz with low < 30 ps jitter. The optimization and characterization of this generator will be presented.