A pulse generation circuit for improved measurement of current transients in ferroelectric thin films

The design and construction of a circuit using Hg-wetted relays to deliver a high current (1 A) at high amplitude (+or-50 V) with short pulse rise and fall times (<1.5 ns) to a 50- Omega load resistor are presented. The pulse switching transient in a ferroelectric 0.52 PbZrO/sub 3/-0.48 PbTiO/sub 3/ or PZT (52/48) thin-film sample using this circuit is compared with commercial pulse generators. Most importantly, the output of this Hg-wetted pulse generator is independent of the ferroelectric thin-film sample being probed, which is essential for comparing measured results.<
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