Gigahertz-rate 100-V pulse generator

A high-density electron-hole plasma generated within a high-efficiency avalanche diode induces a sharp, high-voltage pulse on a transmission line. A novel gigahertz-rate pulse generator has been constructed utilizing the high- efficiency microwave avalanche diode. An impedance discontinuity within the circuit gives rise to a sharp pulse with undistorted waveform, which keeps retriggering the diode for a self-excited pulse generation. The peak- to-peak amplitude of the pulse is 125 V into a 50-/spl Omega/ load. The pulsewidth is 400 ps, the rise time 100 ps, and the fall time 200 ps.