High voltage electrical amplifier having a short rise time

Patent Application · Thu Dec 07 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5843442

Christie, D J; Dallum, G E

A circuit, comprising an amplifier and a transformer is disclosed that produces a high power pulse having a fast response time, and that responds to a digital control signal applied through a digital-to-analog converter. The present invention is suitable for driving a component such as an electro-optic modulator with a voltage in the kilovolt range. The circuit is stable at high frequencies and during pulse transients, and its impedance matching circuit matches the load impedance with the output impedance. The preferred embodiment comprises an input stage compatible with high-speed semiconductor components for amplifying the voltage of the input control signal, a buffer for isolating the input stage from the output stage; and a plurality of current amplifiers connected to the buffer. Each current amplifier is connected to a field effect transistor (FET), which switches a high voltage power supply to a transformer which then provides an output terminal for driving a load. The transformer comprises a plurality of transmission lines connected to the FETs and the load. The transformer changes the impedance and the voltage of the output. The preferred embodiment also comprises a low voltage power supply for biasing the FETs at or near an operational voltage. 8 figs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): PATENTS-US-A7447454
• Application Number: ON: DE91011657; PPN: US 7-447454
• OSTI ID: 5843442
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
AMPLIFIERS
DESIGN
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS
IMPEDANCE
KEV RANGE
LASERS
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
POWER SUPPLIES
PULSE GENERATORS
PULSE RISE TIME
Q-SWITCHING
RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SPECIFICATIONS
STABILITY
TRANSFORMERS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY RANGE
EQUIPMENT
FUNCTION GENERATORS
FUNCTIONS
TIMING PROPERTIES
TRANSISTORS
426000* - Engineering- Components
Electron Devices & Circuits- (1990-)