Review of Nanosecond Pulse Generator With High-Power Switching Devices

A nanosecond pulse generator (NSPG), with a high peak voltage, short-duration pulsewidth, high repetition rate, and fast rise/fall times, has gained traction and is now used in several applications such as plasma, biomedical, and industrial. The pulse characteristics vary with the type of application and these are affected by the choice of the switching devices in any topology and other elements of NSPG. Therefore, a variety of NSPGs have been researched, which makes the selection of any particular topology for NSPG development a challenging task. Thus, to address this gap, the literature presents a review of several conventional and state-of-the-art topologies of NSPG with high-power (HP) switching devices such as spark gap, solid-state switches, magnetic switches, and other elements for various applications. It also presents the pulse’s duration, voltage, current, power, rise/fall time, and repetition frequency for different applications. Furthermore, strategies for minimizing switching losses and other losses that substantially lower pulse generator efficiency are also discussed. Finally, a concise evaluation of available switching devices and other elements of NSPG, their pros and cons, and future directions are discussed to provide a clear understanding to designers and researchers.