A review of short pulse generator technology

Today's ultrafast, pulse generators are capable of producing high-voltage pulses, (>1 kV), with fast, leading-edge rise times, (< 1 ns). A review of generator implementation methods is presented that includes a detailed discussion of the various circuit designs and a list of commercially available high-voltage pulse generators. All of these generators are capable of rise times less than a few ns and voltages greater than several hundred volts. Finally, a brief description of the three primary switch types, reed, spark gap, and solid state is presented.