High speed high voltage switching circuit

A circuit for switching a diode, the circuit comprising:

• a diode;
• a first power switch receiving a common input signal and a first voltage and configured to switchably provide the first voltage to a common output in response to the common input signal, the first power switch comprising a plurality of optocoupler phototransistors connected in series;
• a second power switch receiving the common input signal and a second voltage and configured to switchably connect the second voltage to the common output in response to the common input signal, wherein:
• the first power switch and the second power switch are configured to asynchronously provide the first voltage and the second voltage, respectively, to the common output in response to the common input signal, the diode being switched according to the first voltage or the second voltage being connected to the common output;
• and
• when the plurality of optocoupler phototransistors of the first power switch are switched off, a voltage drop from the first voltage to the second voltage occurs across the plurality of optocoupler phototransistors.

A method of switching a diode, the method comprising:

• providing a first voltage to a first power switch, the first power switch comprising a plurality of optocoupler phototransistors connected in series;
• providing a second voltage to a second power switch;
• providing a common input signal to the first power switch and to the second power switch;
• and
• controlling the first power switch and the second power switch with the common input signal, wherein the first power switch provides the first voltage to a common output in response to the common input signal, and the second power switch asynchronously provides, with respect to the first voltage, the second voltage to the common output in response to the common input signal, and wherein the diode, which is electronically coupled to the common output, is switched according to the first voltage or the second voltage being provided to the common output;
• wherein when the plurality of optocoupler phototransistors of the first power switch are switched off, a voltage drop from the first voltage to the second voltage occurs across the plurality of optocoupler phototransistors.