Subnanosecond high-voltage 50-Ω calibrated attenuator

Abstract

We describe a single stage 50-Ω, 10× resistive attenuator with a rise time less than 100 ps used to measure 20-kV, 2-ns pulses, driving an electro-optic shutter in a 50-J, CO2 laser system. An aqueous solution of aluminum nitrate is used as a resistive element. An axially symmetric shielded structure allows cascade operation of more units. Practical design parameters for a given matched impedance and attenuation as well as calibration procedures are reported.