The material physics, design, and applications of photoconductive switch devices are described. The characteristics of several photoconductive materials and advantages over conventional semiconductor switch types are detailed. Possible applications for this technology are indicated. Two circuits that demonstrate the analog and pulse capabilities of photoconductive switch devices are detailed: a high-voltage, low-frequency generator and an impulse waveform generator. It is concluded that photoconductive switch devices offer definite advantages over conventional methods of generating extremely fast high-voltage electrical pulses, but further advances are required in the field of lasers before this technology can be applied on a day-to-day basis.
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