Picosecond-Domain Waveform Measurement: Status and Future Directions

A review of the state of the art of picosecond time-domain waveform measurements is presented which includes measurements in both the electrical and optical regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. This review is the latest edition of a series of reviews on high-speed pulse measurements compiled by the author commencing in 1967 [1]; specifically this review updates the 1978 review, [2]. The significance of the IEEE Pulse Standards 181 and 194 (or the identical IEC Standards 469-1 and 469-2) are discussed briefly. The classification of time-domain measurements from the 1978 review is summarized and augmented with basic instrumentation block diagrams. The advances in the present-day capabilities from those in 1978 are presented via temporal resolution state-of-the-art charts using the 1978 format; however, the only entries in the charts are those that have changed since 1978. Also, presented are some opinions as to the future directions of electrical and optical picosecond domain measurements. Fifty-six references are cited.