CCD sampling of high-frequency broad-band signals

Several CCD signal sampling methods are discussed and a CCD input technique with excellent high-speed sampler characteristics is described. The method, a version of the diode-cutoff technique, is being used in a 200 MHz/8 bit transient digitizer system currently under development. DC based signal bandwidth (3 dB) of 600 to 800 MHz has been achieved along with random aperture uncertainty dispersion (one-sigma) of less than 2 ps. The sampler structure, operation, and experimental test results are described.