Improved Delay Jitter and Synchronization of GaAs PCSS With a Novel Packaging Structure

Realizing the synchronization of multiple gallium arsenide (GaAs) photoconductive semiconductor switches (PCSSs) is the key for GaAs PCSS in the applications of arrayed pulsed power systems. However, delay jitter makes the synchronization become a challenging task. To improve the delay jitter, we propose a packaging scheme integrating the external shielding electrode (SE) and an illuminating design formed by a light guide plate (LGP) and a bottom reflector (BR). Compared to the conventional PCSS, the PCSS implementing this packaging scheme presents a lower delay jitter and sustains the low-jitter operation of tens of picoseconds within tens of thousands of continuous shots, demonstrating the positive effect of this scheme in improving the delay jitter. Then, the effect is well interpreted with the close correlation between the reduced delay time and the reduced delay jitter and attributed to the increased extrinsic absorption and improved stability of hold-off voltage contributed by the novel package. Furthermore, when this packaging structure is used in the PCSS array, improved synchronization can be found, demonstrating the effect of this novel scheme on minifying the performance difference between each PCSS in the array and making the PCSS with this packaging scheme a promising candidate for the pulsed power systems based on the PCSS array.