DESIGN NOTE Generation of kilovolt-subnanosecond pulses using a nonlinear transmission line

Abstract. A nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) is used to speed up the risetime of high voltage (> 1 kV) pulses. The theory of the NL TL is reviewed and practical implementations and limitations are discussed. An NLTL is used to generate a 1.5 kV pulse with a risetime of 500 ps. The note concludes with a discussion of generating pulses with amplitudes greater than 3.5 kV and risetimes less than 200 ps. 1