Arbitrary pulse shape synthesis via nonuniform transmission lines

A discrete inverse scattering technique is used to define the impedance profile for a nonuniform transmission line which reflects an arbitrary waveform. Initially charged nonuniform lines, switched out into a general load, can also be synthesized by this method, and are discussed. The direct or layer peeling algorithm is applied to generate profiles which are subsequently analyzed using the one-dimensional finite difference method and fabricated in stripline. Excitation for the nonuniform line is done by using a charged line connected to a photoconductive Si switch triggered by a mode-locked YLF laser. Several lines were fabricated relevant to amplitude modulation of the master oscillator laser pulse for fusion experiments. Using the layer peeling method, a complex high-voltage pulse shape for use in laser fusion experiments is synthesized to an extraordinary degree of precision. It is possible to generate any arbitrary pulse shape by reflecting a step pulse off a synthesized nonuniform transmission line provided the power spectrum of the reflected pulse does not exceed that of the input pulse at any frequency.< >