Simple capacitive probe for high-voltage nanosecond pulses

Abstract

We describe a capacitive probe for the observation of high-voltage fast pulses (1–100 kV, 1 to 10 ns) and we also show the results of some tests performed on a prototype. The probe is extremely simple and cheap, easy to build by small research groups. The attenuation factor can be adjusted through a simple operation which does not require substitution of components.

A high-voltage gaseous switch triggered by a corona discharge for long-lifetime operation

“…The generator provides negative voltage pulses with a rise time of about 6 ns. Figure 2 shows a typical oscillogram as monitored by a capacitive probe [8].…”

An earth-isolated optically coupled wideband high voltage probe powered by ambient light

“…1 Another passive HV probe developed by Gratton et al adopts a capacitive divider for measuring nanosecond HV pulses. 2 A capacitive-RC hybrid passive probe developed by Saw et al is designed for fast pulse discharge systems. 3 However, most of these passive HV probes, including the Tektronix P6015A, require connection to earth ground, which makes them neither convenient for long distance measurements because of ground loop susceptibility, nor suitable for real floating voltage measurements.…”

“…Various high voltage probes [1][2][3] and some commercial products (e.g., Tektronix P6015A) have been developed for measuring high voltage for different purposes. For example, a passive high voltage (HV) probe developed by Sarjeant and Alcock uses a resistive voltage divider and can measure a <100 ns voltage pulse with subnanosecond rise time.…”