Generation of Rectangular Nanosecond Electromagnetic Pulses with a Picosecond Rise Front

Abstract

A method for generation of ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses with a nanosecond length and a picosecond rise time has been proposed and studied. A horn antenna with a photoconductive switch irradiated by laser pulses has been used as an emitter. It is shown that the length of ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses is determined by the antenna length and the semiconductor material and the rise front is determined by the front of laser pulses used to initiate a photoconductive switch. Typical pulse lengths of ~1 ns with a rise front of up to ~34 ps are reported.