Twister oven for photoconductive switches

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for illuminating a photoconductive switch are disclosed. The disclosed technology minimizes an amount of light that is reflected back into an input optical waveguide. The disclosed technology provides an illumination oven that delivers light from the input optical waveguide to the photoconductive switch. The illumination oven is configured to trap light and cause multiple reflection passes of the light therewithin. The illumination oven is configured to reduce opportunities for the light to escape via the input optical waveguide. In particular, the illumination oven includes a tipped or angled top end that directs light downward to the photoconductive switch. The input optical waveguide is coupled to the illumination oven at a lateral offset, which, along with the tipped top end, causes the light to rattle and chaotically flow within the illumination oven to be ultimately absorbed by the photoconductive switch or dissipate.