Effect of Switch Geometry on Responsiveness of Parallel-Plate Blumlein Lines

Multiswitch excitation can be used to improve the performance of parallel-plate pulse-forming networks (PFNs). Here, we simulate, empirically demonstrate, and show a model for the rise time \Delta t_{\text{rise}}, output voltage \bar{V}_{\text{out}}, and pulsewidth T for a Blumlein-based PFN as a function of switch nodes. Furthermore, unique to this work is the capture of dynamics from fast-switching events and the reactive effects on pulse formation. This work shows that using a distributed switch leads to an output pulse with a shorter \Delta t_{\text{rise}}, greater \bar{V}_{\text{out}}, and shorter T. The improved performance is explained by the pulse being generated along the width of the shared conductor, wherein each current path and its mirror arrive at the load at the same time.