Abstract

Direct DC to RF conversion with an optoelectronically switchable frozen-wave generator has recently been demonstrated.^(1,2) Using picosecond optical pulses. A sequential waveform consisting of two and one half cycles has been obtained with a voltage conversion efficiency better than 90%.⁽²⁾ However, there are some drawbacks associated with the frozen-wave generator device. One of them is that a large number of switches must be simultaneously activated and each switch must operate at close to 100% efficiency in order to form a good pulse sequence. These requirements are rather difficult to meet, because each switch may have somewhat different characteristics owing to the fabrication process. The simultaneous closure of several switches also demands a large amount of laser energy.

© 1985 Optical Society of America