Products Laser Electronics PCD & HV

Pockels cell drivers PCD with energy-efficient power supplies HV

PCD & HV series

High repetition rate and high voltage Pockels cell drivers with energy-efficient power supplies

Ekspla’s Pockels cell drivers are optimal for BBO, RTP, KD*P, KTP, LiNbO₃, CdTe Pockels cells. They can provide high voltage output pulses up to 9.8 kV, repetition rates up to 6 MHz, electrical pulse rise times as short as 5.5 ns, minimal pulse durations as low as 0 ns and maximal pulse durations with no limit.

Download datasheet

High repetition rate and high voltage Pockels cell drivers.

PCD & HV

Overview Specifications Configurations HV Power Supply Drawings Downloads

Key parameters & system overview

Features

HV repetition rates up to 6 MHz
HV output pulse amplitude up to 9.8 kV
Electrical HV rise / fall times typically as low as 5.5 ns at 6pF load
HV pulse durations from 0 ns to infinity
Amplitude modulation of independent HV output pulses
Designed for BBO, RTP, KD*P, KTP, LiNbO₃, CdTe Pockels cells
Complimentary HV power supplies for each driver version
Drivers can be tailored to precisely meet OEM customer’s needs
Fast turnaround times between inquiry, prototyping and high-volume manufacturing stages.

Applications

EKSPLA’s Pockels cell drivers are optimal for pulse picking, mode-locking, cavity dumping and q-switching of the solid state femtosecond, picosecond and nanosecond lasers. Most popular fields of applications are:

Industrial lasers
micromachining, welding and cutting
Medical lasers
ophthalmology, dermatology and surgery
Scientific lasers
fusion research, spectroscopy, and high-energy physics

Description

Pockels cell drivers, also known a fast HV switches, are designed to load and unload capacitance of Pockels cells which serve as an integral part of electro optic modulators (EOM’s) used for pulse picking, mode-locking, cavity dumping and q-switching of solid state lasers. Ekspla’s Pockels cell drivers are optimal for BBO, RTP, KD*P, KTP, LiNbO₃, CdTe Pockels cells.

Our Pockels cell drivers can provide high voltage output pulses up to 9.8 kV, repetition rates up to 6 MHz, electrical pulse rise times as short as 5.5 ns, minimal pulse durations as low as 0 ns and maximal pulse durations with no limit. All specifications are measured at 6 pF load.

Ekspla’s Pockels cell drivers require HV supply input typically equal to driver’s HV output (the only exception is PCD-FAM series drivers that allow to modulate the amplitude of each individual driver’s output pulse by analog voltage input). We provide complimentary HV power supplies for each Pockels cell driver version. For high-volume OEM customers we also tailor our Pockels cell drivers by removing excessive components to make sure products are optimal parameter, cost and size wise.

Performance

Typical rising front of output pulse in detail.

Typical falling front of output pulse in detail.

Specifications of Pockels cell drivers

DRIVER series ¹⁾	PCD-UHR	2PCD-UHR	PCD-UHRS	PCD-UHV	PCD-FAM
Operating specifications
HV ²⁾ pulse amplitude, max ³⁾	7.2 kV	3.4 kV	3.6 kV	9.8 kV	2.5 kV
HV repetition rate (without burst), max	3 MHz	6 MHz	1 MHz	10 kHz	500 kHz
HV repetition rate (in burst mode), max	4.8 MHz	–	4.8 MHz	–	–
HV pulse rise / fall times, min ⁴⁾	< 5.5 ns	< 6 ns	< 5.5 ns	< 6 ns	< 26 / 13 ns
HV pulse duration, min	100 ns	0 ns	25 ns	30 ns	70 ns
HV pulse duration extension to infinity ⁵⁾	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO
Modulation of an individual HV pulse amplitude	NO	NO	NO	NO	YES
Minimum pause between HV pulses	100 ns	100 ns	25 ns	100 ns	100 ns
HV pulse delay	25 – 30 ns ⁶⁾	30 – 45 ns ⁶⁾	30 ns	30 ns	45 ns
HV pulse jitter	< 100 ps	< 100 ps	< 100 ps	< 100 ps	< 100 ps
Input specifications
Power supply requirements (power stage)	U_{HV PS in} (V) = U_{driver out} P_PS in (W) – see “Configurations”	U_{HV PS in} (V) = U_{driver out} P_PS in (W) – see “Configurations”	U_{HV PS in} (V) = U_{driver out} P_PS in (W) – see “Configurations”	U_{HV PS in} (V) = U_{driver out} P_PS in (W) – see “Configurations”	U_{HV PS in} (V) = 2.65 – 2.7 kV P_PS in (W) – see “Configurations”
Power supply requirements (control stage)	24 V	24 V	24 V	24 V	24 V
Amount of external triggering input pulses	1 or 2	1 or 2	1 or 2	1 or 2	1 or 2
Triggering pulse duration requirement (for two-pulses triggering mode only)	> 20 ns	> 20 ns	> 20 ns	> 20 ns	> 20 ns
Triggering pulse amplitude requirement	3.5 – 5 V ⁷⁾	3.5 – 5 V ⁷⁾	3.5 – 5 V ⁷⁾	3.5 – 5 V ⁷⁾	3.5 – 5 V ⁷⁾
Triggering pulse rise & fall time requirement	< 10 ns	< 10 ns	< 5 ns	< 10 ns	< 10 ns
Modulation voltage range	–	–	–	–	0.1 – 4.9 V
Physical characteristics
Dimensions	see “Drawings”	see “Drawings”	see “Drawings”	see “Drawings”	see “Drawings”
Operating requirements
Capacitance of load (Pockels cell)	typically ≤ 6 pF ⁸⁾	typically ≤ 6 pF ⁸⁾	typically ≤ 6 pF ⁸⁾	typically ≤ 6 pF ⁸⁾	typically ≤ 6 pF ⁸⁾
Length of leads to load (Pockels cell), max	10 cm	10 cm	10 cm	10 cm	10 cm
Cooling method	conductive, water or no cooling. See “Configurations”	conductive, water or no cooling. See “Configurations”	conductive, water or no cooling. See “Configurations”	conductive, water or no cooling. See “Configurations”	conductive, water or no cooling. See “Configurations”
Operating ambient temperature	≤ 35°C	≤ 35°C	≤ 35°C	≤ 35°C	≤ 35°C
Operating baseplate temperature	≤ 35°C	≤ 35°C	≤ 35°C	≤ 35°C	≤ 35°C
Accessories
HV output pins	2 pc. of pins for HV wires included by default. HV wires between driver and a Pockels cell not included	2 pc. of pins for HV wires included by default. HV wires between driver and a Pockels cell not included	2 pc. of pins for HV wires included by default. HV wires between driver and a Pockels cell not included	2 pc. of pins for HV wires included by default. HV wires between driver and a Pockels cell not included	2 pc. of pins for HV wires included by default. HV wires between driver and a Pockels cell not included
HV input cables	included ⁹⁾	included ⁹⁾	included ⁹⁾	included ⁹⁾	included ⁹⁾
Control cables	included ⁹⁾	included ⁹⁾	included ⁹⁾	included ⁹⁾	included ⁹⁾
HV power supply	complimentary HV power supplies available. See “HV power supplies”	complimentary HV power supplies available. See “HV power supplies”	complimentary HV power supplies available. See “HV power supplies”	complimentary HV power supplies available. See “HV power supplies”	complimentary HV power supplies available. See “HV power supplies”
CAN-USB adapter (for HV power supply)	optional ¹⁰⁾	optional ¹⁰⁾	optional ¹⁰⁾	optional ¹⁰⁾	optional ¹⁰⁾

DRIVER series ¹⁾	PCD-UHR	2PCD-UHR	PCD-UHRS	PCD-UHV	PCD-FAM

Due to continuous improvement, all specifications are subject to change without notice. Parameters marked typical are not specifications. They are indications of typical performance and will vary with each unit we manufacture.
High voltage.
Maximal limit. Not all maximal limits can be reached simultaneously.
Minimal limit at 6 pF load.
Using pulse regeneration technique.
Depends on model.
50 Ω input.
If higher, please consult with Ekspla.
Included by default.
Ekspla’s CAN-USB adapter is required at evaluation stage if communication via CAN interface is needed.

Model selection table

Model ¹⁾	Repetition rate, max ²⁾	Output pulse amplitude, max	Pulse rise / fall times, typical ³⁾	Pulse duration range, min – max ⁴⁾	Power consumption, max ³⁾	Cooling method	Dimensions (L×W×H)	Drawing
PCD-UHR series
PCD-UHR-50-3.6	50 kHz	3.6 kV	< 7 ns	100 – 5000 ns	20 W	Conductive	94×63×31 mm	Fig. 1
PCD-UHR-50-3.6-C	50 kHz	3.6 kV	< 7 ns	100 – 5000 ns	20 W	Water	114×73×50 mm	Fig. 2
PCD-UHR-50-3.6-C-Option1	50 kHz	3.6 kV	< 7 ns	100 – 5000 ns	20 W	Conductive or water	116×68×42 mm	Fig. 3
PCD-UHR-250-2.6	250 kHz	2.6 kV	< 6 ns	100 – 3900 ns	40 W	Conductive or water	116×63×38 mm	Fig. 1
PCD-UHR-250-2.6-C	250 kHz	2.6 kV	< 6 ns	100 – 3900 ns	40 W	Water	114×73×50 mm	Fig. 2
PCD-UHR-250-2.6-C-Option1	250 kHz	2.6 kV	< 6 ns	100 – 3900 ns	40 W	Conductive or water	116×68×42 mm	Fig. 3
PCD-UHR-250-3.6	250 kHz	3.6 kV	< 7 ns	100 – 3900 ns	75 W	Conductive or water	116×63×38 mm	Fig. 1
PCD-UHR-250-3.6-C	250 kHz	3.6 kV	< 7 ns	100 – 3900 ns	75 W	Water	114×73×50 mm	Fig. 2
PCD-UHR-250-3.6-C-Option1	250 kHz	3.6 kV	< 7 ns	100 – 3900 ns	75 W	Conductive or water	116×68×42 mm	Fig. 3
PCD-UHR-400-1.5	400 kHz	1.5 kV	< 5.5 ns	100 – 2400 ns	20 W	Conductive or water	116×63×38 mm	Fig. 1
PCD-UHR-400-1.5-C	400 kHz	1.5 kV	< 5.5 ns	100 – 2400 ns	20 W	Water	114×73×50 mm	Fig. 2
PCD-UHR-400-1.5-C-Option1	400 kHz	1.5 kV	< 5.5 ns	100 – 2400 ns	20 W	Conductive or water	116×68×42 mm	Fig. 3
PCD-UHR-500-2.6	500 kHz	2.6 kV	< 6.5 ns	100 – 1900 ns	90 W	Conductive or water	116×63×38 mm	Fig. 1
PCD-UHR-500-2.6-C	500 kHz	2.6 kV	< 6.5 ns	100 – 1900 ns	90 W	Water	114×73×50 mm	Fig. 2
PCD-UHR-500-2.6-C-Option1	500 kHz	2.6 kV	< 6.5 ns	100 – 1900 ns	90 W	Conductive or water	116×68×42 mm	Fig. 3
PCD-UHR-1000-1.8	1 MHz	1.8 kV	< 6 ns	100 – 900 ns	80 W	Conductive or water	116×63×38 mm	Fig. 1
PCD-UHR-1000-1.8-C	1 MHz	1.8 kV	< 6 ns	100 – 900 ns	80 W	Water	114×73×50 mm	Fig. 2
PCD-UHR-1000-1.8-C-Option1	1 MHz	1.8 kV	< 6 ns	100 – 900 ns	80 W	Conductive or water	116×68×42 mm	Fig. 3
PCD-UHR-2000-1.5	2 MHz	1.5 kV	< 7 ns	100 – 400 ns	120 W	Conductive or water	116×63×38 mm	Fig. 1
PCD-UHR-2000-1.5-C	2 MHz	1.5 kV	< 7 ns	100 – 400 ns	120 W	Water	114×73×50 mm	Fig. 2
PCD-UHR-2000-1.5-C-Option1	2 MHz	1.5 kV	< 7 ns	100 – 400 ns	120 W	Conductive or water	116×68×42 mm	Fig. 3
PCD-UHR-I-250-5.2-C	250 kHz	5.2 kV	< 8.5 ns	100 – 5000 ns	100 W	Conductive or water	158×49×81 mm	Fig. 4
PCD-UHR-I-300-4.6-C	300 kHz	4.6 kV	< 8 ns	100 – 5000 ns	100 W	Conductive or water	158×49×81 mm	Fig. 4
PCD-UHR-I-350-4-C	350 kHz	4 kV	< 7.5 ns	100 – 5000 ns	100 W	Conductive or water	158×49×81 mm	Fig. 4
PCD-UHR-I-1000-3.0-C	1 MHz	3 kV	< 7.5 ns	100 – 5000 ns	120 W	Conductive or water	158×49×81 mm	Fig. 4
PCD-UHR-II-150-7.0	150 kHz	7 kV	< 9.5 ns	100 – 5000 ns	110 W	Conductive	148×74×33 mm	Fig. 5
PCD-UHR-II-250-7.0-C	250 kHz	7 kV	< 9.5 ns	100 – 5000 ns	200 W	Conductive or water	172×77×51 mm	Fig. 6
PCD-UHR-II-1000-3.8-C	1 MHz	3.8 kV	< 6 ns	100 – 5000 ns	230 W	Conductive or water	172×77×51 mm	Fig. 6
PCD-UHR-II-1000-4.0-C	1 MHz	4 kV	< 9.5 ns	100 – 5000 ns	210 W	Conductive or water	172×77×51 mm	Fig. 6
PCD-UHR-III-500-7.2-C	500 kHz	7.2 kV	< 8 ns	100 – 1900 ns	400 W	Water	220×87×98 mm	Fig. 7
PCD-UHR-III-2000-3.4-C	2 MHz	3.4 kV	< 8.5 ns	100 – 400 ns	360 W	Water	220×87×98 mm	Fig. 7
PCD-UHR-III-2500-3.1-C	2.5 MHz	3.1 kV	< 9.5 ns	100 – 300 ns	360 W	Water	220×87×98 mm	Fig. 7
PCD-UHR-III-3000-2.6-C	3 MHz	2.6 kV	< 8.5 ns	100 – 233 ns	325 W	Water	220×87×98 mm	Fig. 7
2PCD-UHR series
2PCD-UHR-500-3.4-C	500 kHz	3.4 kV	< 7 ns	0 – 1900 ns	150 W	Water	210×98×53 mm	Fig. 8
2PCD-UHR-1000-2.4-C	1 MHz	2.4 kV	< 6.5 ns	0 – 900 ns	180 W	Water	210×98×53 mm	Fig. 8
2PCD-UHR-2000-1.6-C	2 MHz	1.6 kV	< 6 ns	0 – 400 ns	130 W	Water	210×98×53 mm	Fig. 8
2PCD-UHR-II-300-3.4	300 kHz	3.4 kV	< 7 ns	0 – 1556 ns	110 W	Conductive	148×74×33 mm	Fig. 5
2PCD-UHR-II-500-3.4-C	500 kHz	3.4 kV	< 7 ns	0 – 900 ns	200 W	Conductive or water	172×77×51 mm	Fig. 6
2PCD-UHR-II-1000-2.5-C	1 MHz	2.5 kV	< 7 ns	0 – 400 ns	170 W	Conductive or water	172×77×51 mm	Fig. 6
2PCD-UHR-II-2000-1.8-C	2 MHz	1.8 kV	< 7 ns	0 – 150 ns	210 W	Conductive or water	172×77×51 mm	Fig. 6
2PCD-UHR-II-2000-1.5-C	2 MHz	1.5 kV	< 6 ns	100 – 900 ns	215 W	Conductive or water	172×77×51 mm	Fig. 6
2PCD-UHR-III-4000-1.7-C	4 Mhz	1.7 kV	< 10.5 ns	100 – 300 ns	360 W	Water	220×87×98 mm	Fig. 7
2PCD-UHR-III-6000-1.3-C	6 Mhz	1.3 kV	< 9 ns	100 – 233 ns	350 W	Water	220×87×98 mm	Fig. 7
PCD-UHRS series
PCD-UHRS-50-3.6	50 kHz	3.6 kV	< 7 ns	25 – 5000 ns	20 W	Conductive	94×63×31 mm	Fig. 9
PCD-UHRS-50-3.6-C	50 kHz	3.6 kV	< 7 ns	25 – 5000 ns	20 W	Water	114×73×50 mm	Fig. 11
PCD-UHRS-50-3.6-C-Option1	50 kHz	3.6 kV	< 7 ns	25 – 5000 ns	20 W	Conductive or water	116×68×42 mm	Fig. 10
PCD-UHRS-250-3.6	250 kHz	3.6 kV	< 7 ns	25 – 1000 ns	75 W	Conductive or water	116×63×38 mm	Fig. 9
PCD-UHRS-250-3.6-C	250 kHz	3.6 kV	< 7 ns	25 – 1000 ns	75 W	Water	114×73×50 mm	Fig. 11
PCD-UHRS-250-3.6-C-Option1	250 kHz	3.6 kV	< 7 ns	25 – 1000 ns	75 W	Conductive or water	116×68×42 mm	Fig. 10
PCD-UHRS-250-2.6	250 kHz	2.6 kV	< 6 ns	25 – 1000 ns	40 W	Conductive or water	116×63×38 mm	Fig. 9
PCD-UHRS-400-1.5	400 kHz	1.5 kV	< 5.5 ns	25 – 625 ns	20 W	Conductive or water	116×63×38 mm	Fig. 9
PCD-UHRS-500-2.6	500 kHz	2.6 kV	< 6.5 ns	25 – 500 ns	90 W	Conductive or water	116×63×38 mm	Fig. 9
PCD-UHRS-500-2.6-C	500 kHz	2.6 kV	< 6.5 ns	25 – 500 ns	90 W	Water	114×73×50 mm	Fig. 11
PCD-UHRS-500-2.6-C-Option1	500 kHz	2.6 kV	< 6.5 ns	25 – 500 ns	90 W	Conductive or water	116×68×42 mm	Fig. 10
PCD-UHRS-1000-1.8	1 MHz	1.8 kV	< 6 ns	25 – 250 ns	80 W	Conductive or water	116×63×38 mm	Fig. 9
PCD-UHRS-1000-1.8-C	1 MHz	1.8 kV	< 6 ns	25 – 250 ns	80 W	Water	114×73×50 mm	Fig. 11
PCD-UHRS-1000-1.8-C-Option1	1 MHz	1.8 kV	< 6 ns	25 – 250 ns	80 W	Conductive or water	116×68×42 mm	Fig. 10
PCD-UHV series
PCD-UHV-4.2	10 kHz	4.2 kV	< 6 ns	30 – 3000 ns	5 W	Not needed	140×60×29 mm	Fig. 12
PCD-UHV-4.2-C	10 kHz	4.2 kV	< 6 ns	30 – 3000 ns	5 W	Not needed	192×81×75 mm	Fig. 13
PCD-UHV-5.5	5 kHz	5.5 kV	< 7 ns	30 – 3000 ns	5 W	Not needed	140×60×29 mm	Fig. 12
PCD-UHV-5.5-C	5 kHz	5.5 kV	< 7 ns	30 – 3000 ns	5 W	Not needed	192×81×75 mm	Fig. 13
PCD-UHV10-8.6	3 kHz	8.6 kV	< 10.5 ns / < 9.5 ns	35 – 2000 ns	5 W	Not needed	140×60×29 mm	Fig. 12
PCD-UHV10-8.6-C	3 kHz	8.6 kV	< 10.5 ns / < 9.5 ns	35 – 2000 ns	5 W	Not needed	192×81×75 mm	Fig. 13
PCD-UHV10-9.8	2.5 kHz	9.8 kV	< 12 ns / < 10.5 ns	35 – 2000 ns	5 W	Not needed	140×60×29 mm	Fig. 12
PCD-UHV10-9.8-C	2.5 kHz	9.8 kV	< 12 ns / < 10.5 ns	35 – 2000 ns	5 W	Not needed	192×81×75 mm	Fig. 13
PCD-FAM series
PCD-FAM-250-2.5-C	250 kHz	2.5 kV	< 26 ns / < 13 ns	70 – 3000 ns	60 W	Conductive or water	139×69×57 mm	Fig. 14
PCD-FAM-500-2.5-C	500 kHz	2.5 kV	< 26 ns / < 13 ns	70 – 1000 ns	120 W	Conductive or water	139×69×57 mm	Fig. 14

Model ¹⁾	Repetition rate, max ²⁾	Output pulse amplitude, max	Pulse rise / fall times, typical ³⁾	Pulse duration range, min – max ⁴⁾	Power consumption, max ³⁾	Cooling method	Dimensions (L×W×H)	Drawing

Due to continuous improvement, all specifications are subject to change without notice. Parameters marked typical are not specifications. They are indications of typical performance and will vary with each unit we manufacture.
Without burst.
At 6 pF load.
Without extension to infinity.

Specifications of HV power supplies

Model ¹⁾	Output power, max	High voltage output options, max	Dimensions (L × W × H)	Drawing	Notes
Encased HV Power Supply
HV-200	200 W	1.8, 2.6, 3.6, 4.0 kV	200 × 119 × 76 mm	Fig. 15	No. 1
HV-400	400 W	1.8, 2.6, 3.6, 4.0 kV	200 × 119 × 76 mm	Fig. 15	No. 1
HV-2×200	2 x 200 W	±1.5, ±2.0, ±2.6, ±3.6 kV	200 × 119 × 76 mm	Fig. 15	No. 1
HV-170	170 W	1.8, 2.6, 3.6 kV	52 × 80 × 58 mm	Fig. 16	No. 2
HV-2×85	2 x 85 W	±1.5, ±1.8 kV	52 × 80 × 58 mm	Fig. 16	No. 2
Open frame (PCB) HV Power Supply
HV05Wm	5 W	1.8, 2.8, 4.0, 4.4, 5.0 kV	135 × 45 × 27 mm	Fig. 17	No. 2
HV05Wm-CAN	5 W	1.8, 2.8, 4.0, 4.4, 5.0 kV	135 × 45 × 27 mm	Fig. 17	No. 2 ²⁾
HV40Wm	40 W	1.3, 1.8, 2.5, 3.6, 4.0 kV	160 × 70 ×35 mm	Fig. 18	No. 2
HV40Wm-CAN	40 W	1.3, 1.8, 2.5, 3.6, 4.0 kV	160 × 70 ×35 mm	Fig. 18	No. 2 ²⁾
HV80Wm	80 W	1.8, 2.6, 3.1, 3.6, 4.0 kV	175 × 70 × 45 mm	Fig. 19	No. 2
HV80Wm-CAN	80 W	1.8, 2.6, 3.1, 3.6, 4.0 kV	175 × 70 × 45 mm	Fig. 19	No. 2 ²⁾
HV120Wm	120 W	1.8, 2.6, 3.1, 3.6 kV	175 × 110 × 42 mm	Fig. 20	No. 2
HV120Wm-CAN	120 W	1.8, 2.6, 3.1, 3.6 kV	175 × 110 × 42 mm	Fig. 20	No. 2 ²⁾
HV2x60Wm	2 x 60 W	±1.4, ±2.0, ±2.6, ±3.6 kV	175 × 110 × 42 mm	Fig. 20	No. 2
HV2x60Wm-CAN	2 x 60 W	±1.4, ±2.0, ±2.6, ±3.6 kV	175 × 110 × 42 mm	Fig. 20	No. 2 ²⁾

Model ¹⁾	Output power, max	High voltage output options, max	Dimensions (L × W × H)	Drawing	Notes

Notes:

Input voltage: 48 V
Output voltage (main): U_{out range} (kV) = 0 – U_{out max}
Output voltage (auxiliary): 24 V
Control options: CAN ²⁾, RS232, trimmer or analog (optional)
Input voltage: 24 V
Output voltage range: U_{out range} (kV) = 0.4×U_{out max} – U_{out max}
Control options: CAN ²⁾, trimmer or analog (optional)

Due to continuous improvement, all specifications are subject to change without notice. Parameters marked typical are not specifications. They are indications of typical performance and will vary with each unit we manufacture.
For CAN communication at evaluation stage Ekspla’s CAN-USB adapter is required.