High-gain GaAs photoconductive semiconductor switches (PCSS): device lifetime, high-current testing, optical pulse generators

Fred J. Zutavern; Guillermo M. Loubriel; Wesley D. Helgeson; Marty W. O'Malley; R. R. Gallegos; Harold P. Hjalmarson; Albert G. Baca; Thomas A. Plut

doi:10.1117/12.198655

4 January 1995 High-gain GaAs photoconductive semiconductor switches (PCSS): device lifetime, high-current testing, optical pulse generators

Fred J. Zutavern, Guillermo M. Loubriel, Wesley D. Helgeson, Marty W. O'Malley, R. R. Gallegos, Harold P. Hjalmarson, Albert G. Baca, Thomas A. Plut

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2343, Optically Activated Switching IV; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.198655
Event: Photonics for Industrial Applications, 1994, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

This paper presents results from three areas of GaAs PCSS research and development: device lifetime, high current switching, and PCSS-driven laser diode arrays (LDA). We have performed device lifetime tests on both lateral and vertical switches as a function of current amplitude, pulse width, and charging time. At present, our longest-lived switch reached 4 X 10⁶ pulses. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show damage near the contacts even after only 5 pulses. We are presently searching for the threshold at which no damage is evident after a single shot. In high current tests, we have reached 5.2 kA at 4.2 kV. This was achieved using twenty fiber-optic coupled lasers to distribute current filaments over a 5 mm wide PCSS. Current waveforms and images of the current filaments as a function of current amplitude will be presented. The lasers used to trigger the high current PCSS were driven with a miniature PCSS. Low inductance, high speed GaAs PCSS are very effective as short pulse laser diode array drivers. Some types of arrays gain switch, producing a compressed optical pulse which is only 57 ps wide. Results from tests with a variety of laser diode arrays will be presented.

Citation Download Citation

Fred J. Zutavern, Guillermo M. Loubriel, Wesley D. Helgeson, Marty W. O'Malley, R. R. Gallegos, Harold P. Hjalmarson, Albert G. Baca, and Thomas A. Plut "High-gain GaAs photoconductive semiconductor switches (PCSS): device lifetime, high-current testing, optical pulse generators", Proc. SPIE 2343, Optically Activated Switching IV, (4 January 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.198655

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available