Pockels cell driver PCD & HV

High repetition rate and high voltage Pockels cell drivers with energy-efficient power supplies, designed for optimal performance with BBO, RTP, KD*P, KTP, LiNbO3, and CdTe Pockels cells. These drivers deliver high voltage output pulses up to 9.8 kV, repetition rates up to 6 MHz, electrical pulse rise times as short as 5.5 ns, minimal pulse durations as low as 0 ns, and maximal pulse durations with no limit. All specifications are measured at 6 pF load.

Features

• HV repetition rates up to 6 MHz
• HV output pulse amplitude up to 9.8 kV
• Electrical HV rise/fall times typically as low as 5.5 ns at 6pF load
• HV pulse durations from 0 ns to infinity
• Amplitude modulation of independent HV output pulses
• Designed for BBO, RTP, KD*P, KTP, LiNbO3, CdTe Pockels cells
• Complimentary HV power supplies for each driver version
• Drivers can be tailored to precisely meet OEM customer’s needs
• Fast turnaround times between inquiry, prototyping, and high-volume manufacturing stages

Applications

• Industrial lasers
  micromachining, welding, and cutting
• Medical lasers
  ophthalmology, dermatology, and surgery
• Scientific lasers
  fusion research, spectroscopy, and high-energy physics

Description
Pockels cell drivers, also known as fast HV switches, are designed to load and unload capacitance of Pockels cells, which serve as an integral part of electro-optic modulators (EOMs) used for pulse picking, mode-locking, cavity dumping, and q-switching of solid-state lasers. Ekspla’s Pockels cell drivers are optimal for BBO, RTP, KD*P, KTP, LiNbO3, and CdTe Pockels cells. The drivers require HV supply input typically equal to the driver’s HV output (except for PCD-FAM series, which allow amplitude modulation of each output pulse by analog voltage input). Complimentary HV power supplies are provided for each version. For high-volume OEM customers, drivers can be tailored by removing excessive components to optimize parameters, cost, and size.

Performance

• Typical output pulse shape, rising front, and falling front are illustrated in performance graphs.

Specifications of Pockels cell drivers

• HV pulse amplitude, max: up to 9.8 kV (model dependent)
• HV repetition rate, max: up to 6 MHz (model dependent)
• HV pulse rise/fall times, min: as low as 5.5 ns (model dependent)
• HV pulse duration, min: as low as 0 ns (model dependent)
• HV pulse duration extension to infinity: available on select models
• Modulation of individual HV pulse amplitude: available on PCD-FAM series
• Minimum pause between HV pulses: as low as 25 ns (model dependent)
• HV pulse delay: 25–45 ns (model dependent)
• HV pulse jitter: < 100 ps
• Power supply requirements (power stage): U_{HV PS in} (V) = U_{driver out} (V), P_PS in (W) – see configurations
• Power supply requirements (control stage): 24 V
• Amount of external triggering input pulses: 1 or 2
• Triggering pulse duration requirement: > 20 ns
• Triggering pulse amplitude requirement: 3.5–5 V (50 Ω input)
• Triggering pulse rise & fall time requirement: < 10 ns
• Modulation voltage range: 0.1–4.9 V (PCD-FAM series)
• Capacitance of load (Pockels cell): typically ≤ 6 pF
• Length of leads to load (Pockels cell), max: 10 cm
• Cooling method: conductive, water, or no cooling (see configurations)
• Operating ambient/baseplate temperature: ≤ 35°C
• HV output pins: 2 pcs for HV wires included by default; HV wires between driver and Pockels cell not included
• HV input cables and control cables: included by default
• HV power supply: complimentary HV power supplies available
• CAN-USB adapter (for HV power supply): optional

Model Selection Table

• Multiple models available, including PCD-UHR, 2PCD-UHR, PCD-UHRS, PCD-UHV, and PCD-FAM series, each with specific repetition rates, output pulse amplitudes, rise/fall times, pulse duration ranges, power consumption, cooling methods, and dimensions.

Specifications of HV Power Supplies

• Encased and open frame (PCB) HV power supplies available
• Output power: 5 W to 400 W (model dependent)
• High voltage output options: up to ±4.4 kV (model dependent)
• Dimensions vary by model

PCD Model Coding Scheme

• Detailed coding scheme for model selection is available in the documentation.

Characteristics / Technical Specifications

• High voltage output pulses up to 9.8 kV
• Repetition rates up to 6 MHz
• Electrical pulse rise times as short as 5.5 ns
• Minimal pulse durations as low as 0 ns
• Maximal pulse durations with no limit
• Amplitude modulation of independent HV output pulses (PCD-FAM series)
• Designed for BBO, RTP, KD*P, KTP, LiNbO3, CdTe Pockels cells
• Complimentary HV power supplies for each driver version
• Customizable for OEM requirements
• Operating temperature: ≤ 35°C
• Cooling: conductive, water, or no cooling (model dependent)
• Power supply: 24 V (control), HV supply matches output voltage
• Capacitance of load: typically ≤ 6 pF
• Triggering: 1 or 2 input pulses, >20 ns duration, 3.5–5 V amplitude