Abstract: A high voltage pulse power converter comprises a modified type E pulse charging network (74) in series with a nonlinear magnetic switch (76). The network comprises a ladder of charging elements (78) each of which comprises a shunt section of a pulse charging module (80) in parallel with a pulse receiving capacitor (82), and a series section comprising an inductance (84). The pulse charging module (80) steps up power from a low voltage power supply (102) through a transformer (110) to charge the pulse receiving capacitors (82); the pulse receiving capacitors (82) discharge simultaneously when sufficient volt seconds have been applied to the nonlinear magnetic switch (76).

Abstract: A laser electrode assembly comprises an elongated bar having a plurality of longitudinally spaced sockets and is removably secured to a carrier which is anchored to the laser base and has a like number of plugs resiliently press-fitted within the sockets, respectively. Each plug has opposed sides to which are fastened a plurality of outwardly curved resilient fingers extending parallel to the direction of insertion of the plugs into the sockets. Each socket has a width less than the overall width of the plug and finger combination so that the fingers resiliently frictionally engage the bar within each socket. The bar is readily removed from the carrier for maintenance and repair purposes by prying the former from the plugs without necessitating removal of screws or bolts and thereafter passing the bar through the window opening aligned with the discharge gap.