Nanosecond pulser

A high voltage pulser comprising:

• a driver stage comprising at least one of one or more IGBTs and one or more MOSFETs, the driver stage generates a first input waveform;
• a transformer stage coupled with the driver stage, the transformer stage including one or more transformers;
• an output stage coupled with the transformer stage, the output stage having a storage capacitor, the output stage outputting a first output pulse, the first output pulse having a rise time less than 1,000 nanoseconds and a first output voltage greater than 2 kilovolts;
• and
• a sink stage coupled with the output stage, the sink stage comprising a fast switch, wherein energy stored in the storage capacitor is dumped when the fast switch is closed.

A method comprising:

• closing at least a first switch to provide a first input waveform to a transformer, the first switch coupled with a source and disposed on a primary side of the transformer;
• charging a storage capacitor disposed on the secondary side of the transformer with the first input waveform after passing through the transformer;
• opening the first switch after a first duration;
• opening a second switch, the second switch disposed on a secondary side of the transformer;
• outputting a first output pulse having a rise time less than 1,000 nanoseconds and a first output voltage, the first output pulse being provided by energy in the storage capacitor;
• closing the second switch causing energy stored in the storage capacitor to be dumped.