The generation of high energy ultra wide band pulses

Abstract

We present a theoretical discussion of the performance of photoconductive switches mounted in a matched transmission line structure, which addresses issues of risetime and power density. In the analysis we define a switch performance parameter, a , which results in a recipe for optimizing the performance of photoconductive switches. We also discuss the limits on a due to materials' properties and conclude with a discussion of experimental life-testing and a comparison between the theory and experimental results.