Output voltage pulses in case of bipolar devices and for full bridge Pockels cell drivers

Fig.1 The output voltage pulse with magnitude U in case of bipolar module

The output voltage pulse with magnitude U is formed in case of bipolar module by applying +U/2 to the positive output wire and –U/2 to the negative one. For more information, check out the bipolar pulses diagram above. “Pulse delay” and “Pulse width” are usually measured at 50% level of the maximum. Rise and fall times are measured at 10-90% of the voltage level.

 

The output voltage result in case of the full-bridge Pockels cell driver topology (HVSW-03 and -04) represents pulses of alternating polarity by default. Output pulses with fixed polarity are an option for these drivers.

Fig.2 The output voltage result in case of the full-bridge Pockels cell driver, pulses of alternating polarity

 

CAUTION! Important note!

Measuring the output voltage for bipolar Pockels cell drivers

We recommend that you do not attempt to measure the driver output voltage at all, as this is dangerous and may result in electric shock and damage to the driver.

But if you’re going to do that, it’s important to keep in mind that usual single-ended probes are intended for measurements between probe tip and ground.
For bipolar Pockels cell drivers neither output wire is ground! One needs a special differential probe to measure the difference between the output wires in this case!