High performance avalanche transistor switchout for external pulse selection at 106 μm

Abstract

The design and performance of an avalanche transistor switchout are described. The device selects a single pulse from a train of cw or Q-switched mode-locked pulses and introduces less than +/-1% amplitude variation in the selected pulse. The prepulse rejection ratio exceeds 10(7), and a lifetime of greater than 10(7) shots has been achieved.