Optically-activated GaAs switches for ground penetrating radar and firing set applications

G. M. Loubriel, J. F. Aurand, G. J. Denison, L. F. Rinehart, D. J. Brown, F. J. Zutavern, A. Mar, M. W. O'Malley, W. D. Helgeson, L. Carin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Optically activated, high gain GaAs switches are being tested for many different applications. Two such applications are ground penetrating radar (GPR) and firing set switches. The ability of high gain GaAs Photoconductive Semiconductor Switches (PCSS) to deliver fast risetime pulses makes them suitable for their use in radars that rely on fast impulses. This type of direct time domain radar is uniquely suited for the detection of buried items because it can operate at low frequency, high average power, and close to the ground, greatly increasing power on target. We have demonstrated that a PCSS based system can be used to produce a bipolar waveform with a total duration of about 6 ns and with minimal ringing. Such a pulse is radiated and returns from a 55 gallon drum will be presented. For firing sets, the switch requirements include small size, high current, dc charging, radiation hardness and modest longevity. We have switched 1 kA at 1 kV and 2.8 kA at 3 kV dc charge.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationDigest of Technical Papers-IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference
PublisherIEEEPiscataway, NJ, United States
Pages673-676
Number of pages4
StatePublished - Dec 1 1999
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Generated from Scopus record by KAUST IRTS on 2021-02-09

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