Abstract: An apparatus for converting an input optical signal to an electrical signal. The input optical signal is characterized by a modulation frequency and a modulation wavelength. The apparatus includes a photoconductive switch that is coupled to a photodetector by a common electrode. The photoconductive switch samples the output of the photodetector and is actuated by a switch light signal. The photoconductive switch and the photodetector are arranged such that the switch light signal does not interfere with the optical signal at locations proximate to the electrode and the electrode has a length that is less 0.5 mm.

Abstract: The photoconductive switch comprises a laser that generates light having a first wavelength and a photoconductive switch element arranged to receive the light generated by the laser as incident light. The photoconductive switch element includes a photoconductive layer and a wavelength conversion element. The photoconductive layer has a low absorptivity at the first wavelength. The wavelength conversion element converts the incident light into activating light having a second wavelength at which the photoconductive layer has a greater absorptivity than at the first wavelength. The wavelength conversion element is integral with the photoconductive layer, or is in contact with the photoconductive layer, or is both integral with and in contact with the photoconductive layer.

Abstract: The sampling element comprises a DC sampling voltage source, a threshold sampling circuit and a photoconductive switching element. The threshold sampling circuit includes a signal-under-test input, a sampling pulse input and an IF signal output, and has a sampling threshold with respect to sampling pulses received at the sampling pulse input. The photoconductive switching element is connected between the DC sampling voltage source and the sampling pulse input of the threshold sampling circuit. The sampling device comprises a DC sampling voltage source, a threshold sampling circuit, a photoconductive switching element and a light source. The threshold sampling circuit includes a signal-under-test input, a sampling pulse input and an IF signal output, and has a sampling threshold with respect to sampling pulses received at the sampling pulse input. The photoconductive switching element is connected between the DC sampling voltage source and the sampling pulse input of the threshold sampling circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting an input optical signal to an electrical signal. The input optical signal is characterized by a modulation frequency and a modulation wavelength. The apparatus includes a photoconductive switch that is coupled to a photodetector by a common electrode. The photoconductive switch samples the output of the photodetector and is actuated by a switch light signal. The photoconductive switch and the photodetector are arranged such that the switch light signal does not interfere with the optical signal at locations proximate to the electrode and the electrode has a length that is less 0.5 mm.

Abstract: The sampling element comprises a DC sampling voltage source, a threshold sampling circuit and a photoconductive switching element. The threshold sampling circuit includes a signal-under-test input, a sampling pulse input and an IF signal output, and has a sampling threshold with respect to sampling pulses received at the sampling pulse input. The photoconductive switching element is connected between the DC sampling voltage source and the sampling pulse input of the threshold sampling circuit. The sampling device comprises a DC sampling voltage source, a threshold sampling circuit, a photoconductive switching element and a light source. The threshold sampling circuit includes a signal-under-test input, a sampling pulse input and an IF signal output, and has a sampling threshold with respect to sampling pulses received at the sampling pulse input. The photoconductive switching element is connected between the DC sampling voltage source and the sampling pulse input of the threshold sampling circuit.

Abstract: The photoconductive switch comprises a laser that generates light having a first wavelength and a photoconductive switch element arranged to receive the light generated by the laser as incident light. The photoconductive switch element includes a photoconductive layer and a wavelength conversion element. The photoconductive layer has a low absorptivity at the first wavelength. The wavelength conversion element converts the incident light into activating light having a second wavelength at which the photoconductive layer has a greater absorptivity than at the first wavelength. The wavelength conversion element is integral with the photoconductive layer, or is in contact with the photoconductive layer, or is both integral with and in contact with the photoconductive layer.