A versatile high-voltage pulse generator

Generators of high-voltage pulses of sub-microsecond duration are most conveniently based upon the discharge of a coaxial cable through a spark-in-air switch. Several advantages result from the decision to charge up the outer, rather than the inner, conductor. Insulation problems are reduced as are also constructional and operational details. The most important advantage, however, lies in the ability to vary the pulse length. Rise-times of a few nanoseconds are easily obtained with the proposed generator.