Generation of microwave pulses by optoelectronically switched resonators

The generation of ultrashort pulses or microwave bursts by optoelectronically switched transmission line resonators is investigated numerically and experimentally. When using a dc charging source, single ultrafast pulses can be generated, shorter than the laser pulse width and the carrier relaxation time of the photoconductor used. Electrical pulses shorter than 41 ps are obtained from a 430 ps dye laser pulse. When using a microwave CW signal as input, bursts with higher output power than the input power are generated. Preliminary experiments demonstrate this kind of power enhancement.