Solid-state ultra-wideband pulse generator: Application in bioeffect research

Abstract

This article describes the design and characterization of an ultra-wideband (UWB) pulse generator suitable for biomedical research. The pulser generates nanosecond-long electromagnetic pulses of adjustable rise time, amplitude, and duration, permitting analysis of possible bioeffects over a range of pulse characteristics. Nanosecond rise-time pulses (2.4 ns) of 3.4 kV are achieved in a four-stage pulser circuit using ZTX415 transistors. This device has been used to assess exposure bioeffects to UWB pulses of the model system E. coli. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.