Study on large aperture plasmaelectrode Pockels cellelectro-optical switch

A 240mm×240mm plasma electrode Pockels cell is constructed. Using a planer magnetron cathode a uniform plasma discharge covered the full aperture on either side of the KDP crystal is produced. A rectangular switch pulse with 50ns rise time,500ns pulse width and ≤±2% surge in the top platform is shaped by a pulse forming network. Measurements of the optical performance show that the static transmittance of 85.8%, extinction ratio of 132, switching efficiency of 97.6% and switching rise time of 95ns are obtained.