DC Filter
A DC filter is used to create a smooth voltage from irregular or pulsating voltage sources. High peak currents and ripple currents are dissipated by capacitors storing and releasing charge in a controlled fashion.

Inverter
An inverter is a device that converts direct current power input to alternating polarity power output.

Resonant Charge Circuit
A circuit used for the resonant charging of one capacitor from another capacitor through an inductor. This form of charging is frequently used in pulsed power and power conditioning circuits in order to efficiently transfer energy from one stage to another.

Pulse Forming Network
Pulse forming networks or PFNs are able to create a high power pulse with a relatively flat top. This is achieved using a network of capacitors and inductors to discharge at precise times to create a square or trapezoidal current. Different network designs exist based on the desired output.

Flashlamp Driver
A pulse discharge circuit providing the energy to power or “drive” a flashlamp. Frequently this circuit is a Marx Generator or a pulse forming network.

Snubber
A snubber network is used to regulate the rate of change of voltage across a load. If a current is switched into a snubber network, the voltage across the network will jump to the snubber resistance times the load current to equalize the potential.

Marx Generator
A Marx Generator is a network used to charge many capacitors in parallel and discharge them in series thereby increasing the output voltage. This is useful when the supply voltage is not sufficient to create the high potential difference required for certain applications. Commonly, a type A pulse forming network is used in conjunction with a Marx Generator to produce the high voltages.

Pulse Generator
A pulse generator is designed to emit current pulses from a continuous current source. The user predetermines the frequency and duty cycle of the pulses.

Blumlein
A Blumlein consists of two matched transmission lines, with a load between them that has twice the impedance of either line. The two transmission lines do not have to be of the same length, but they do have to have the same impedance, so that the load can be matched to both of them.

Cable Thumper
A cable thumper is used to test the integrity of an electrical power cable. It uses a capacitive discharge circuit, “thumper”, for locating faults in the cable.

Dynamic Voltage Restorers
This network is used to protect devices that are sensitive to changes in voltage. Dynamic voltage restorers or DVRs can either supply reactive or real power to correct the voltage sag. Reactive power is used to correct small faults in the system, but real power must be supplied for larger faults. Real power comes from stored charge, usually a bank of capacitors, which are replenished when the input power is normal.

Circuit Breaker Test Facilities
Circuit breakers must be tested to ensure their safety before application. Either high voltage or high current sources can be used to test the integrity of a circuit breaker. By supplying an external power source, a tester can determine if the unit is working properly and find the minimum trip voltage.

Power Factor Correction
Power factor correction or PFC allows a power system to run most efficiently to supply maximum power to a load. There are two kinds of PFC: Active (or bulk) PFC and passive (or static) PFC. Active PFC employs a circuit and a bank of capacitors in series with the power source leading to the load, whereas a passive PFC places the capacitors in parallel with the power source. Although active PFC is more efficient, passive PFC is more common because of its lower production cost.

EM Nerve Stimulation
Short pulses of low voltage electrical current are introduced to the desired area using electrodes attached to the skin. Although the methodology of treatment is not known, it is still effective in treatment of many health problems. These include chronic pain, arthritis, headache, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Lithotriptor
A lithotriptor is a device that uses electrical discharges into water to produce shock waves that disintegrate kidney or bladder stones. This procedure is non-evasive and the need for more treatment is less that 10%.

Defibrillator
A defibrillator restores the heart’s normal rhythmic functioning using an electric shock. Defibrillators can be external or implantable, automated or manually controlled. Most popular now are automated external defibrillators or AEDs as seen in offices, school, and health clubs.

Surgical Laser
Surgical lasers are used to make surgical incisions on the body. In surgical procedures, the use of lasers results in less blood loss, less pain, less swelling, and a faster recovery than traditional methods.

Dental Laser
Dental lasers are used to detect pits in tooth enamel before they become cavities. They are used to vaporize decay and in dental surgery procedures because they are more precise than scalpels and drills. Dental lasers are preferred because many times it eliminates the need for anesthesia.

Hair Removal Laser
Low energy lasers used to remove unwanted body hair without affecting the underlying skin. One procedure can virtually eliminate the need for future hair removal.

Dermatology Laser
Lasers are used to improve the appearance of skin on all parts of the body. They are used in resurfacing of the face, the reduction of the appearance of leg veins and removal of benign pigmented lesions on the skin.

Oncology Accelerator
A linear accelerator in conjunction with Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) can be a very effective method of treating cancer. An oncology accelerator is used to accurately target a tumor and shrink it with as little disruption to the surrounding area as possible.

X-Ray
X-ray images are produced using high frequency electromagnetic radiation. Different tissues and bone throughout the body produce lighter or darker areas on the film based on their ability to absorb the x-ray photons. X-ray technology lets doctors see straight through human tissue to examine broken bones, cavities and swallowed objects with extraordinary ease. Modified X-ray procedures can be used to examine softer tissue, such as the lungs, blood vessels or the intestines.

Laser Range Finder
A Laser Range Finder (LRF) is an electro-optical instrument that measures distance as a direct consequence of the propagation delay of an electromagnetic wave, i.e., the LRF emits a laser beam and detects the echoed beam. On hitting a target, a small portion of the transmitted light is reflected back along the path towards the instrument where it passes through an optical system to a receiver. The range of the target is determined by the time interval elapsed from the moment of transmission of the pulse to the moment of reception of the returned "echo" from the target.

Radar
Radar is an acronym for Radio Detection and Ranging. It operates in part of the microwave region of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum, specifically in the frequency interval from 40,000 to 300 megahertz (MHz). The latter frequency extends into the higher frequencies of the broadcast-radio region. Radar sends bursts or pulses of EM energy that reflect off of a target. A fraction of the reflected energy then returns to the radar’s receiving antenna. Distance, direction and speed are determined as a function of round trip travel times of a directed beam of pulses, the signal strength spread out over specific distances and the frequency shift (Doppler). Information about target shapes and certain diagnostic physical properties of materials at and just below the surface can be determined by analyzing signal modifications.

High Power Microwave
High Power Microwave (HPM) systems are used to disable electronic equipment by means of high power microwave emission. It uses the same technology as a microwave found in a kitchen (about 1500W) but instead outputs millions of watts to effectively burn out electronic circuits. A short burst of high-power microwave energy can be lethal to electronics while having no affect on humans operating the equipment. The low-collateral damage aspect of the technology makes high-power microwave weapons useful in a wide variety of missions where avoiding civilian casualties is a major concern

Detonator
In a typical Exploding BridgeWire (EBW) or Exploding Foil Initiators (EFI) detonator firing circuit, a capacitor is charged at the rate of a few milli-Amperes over about 1/10 second and is the discharged with a peak current of 6,000 Amperes in 50 billionths of a second to initiate the explosion.

Electromagnetic Launcher
An electromagnetic launcher is used to propel a metal object using the theory of electromagnetism. Connecting a power source to a coil of wire produces a magnetic force that is both attractive and repulsive. Increasing the power source and the number of turns of the coils can create increasingly large forces.

Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System
An Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) applies the idea of an electromagnetic launcher to catapult airplanes off of carriers. The EMALS system will use a 300 ft.-long linear electric motor to accelerate a 100,000 lb airplane to over 130 knots and lighter aircraft to 200 knots. The system will use state-of-the-art power electronics, energy storage and linear motor technologies to produce significant improvements over existing steam powered catapults. The EMALS will increase launch performance and make significant reductions in installed weight, volume, and manning workload requirements. The EMALS is also expected to reduce peak launch forces on Navy aircraft.

Electromagnetic Gun
An electromagnetic gun is an electromagnetic launcher used to fire a projectile that is pushed by the electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic gun should be able to produce much higher velocities than powder guns.

Railgun
A railgun accelerates a projectile by running a current through it along a pair of rails. A conductive projectile is fired from a two stage light gas gun into the railgun. The projectile slides between two parallel conductive rails and closes the electric circuit. A large current flowing in the circuit generates a magnetic field and the Lorentz force accelerates the projectile. The current is produced by capacitor discharge.

Coilgun
A coilgun uses a solenoid to accelerate an object towards the intended target. The projectile is forced through the middle of a coil using magnetic force induced by electric current.

Electrothermal Gun
An electrothermal gun uses electrical energy to heat a propellant that is allowed to expand rapidly to create a force on the ordnance. This force is capable of accelerating a projectile to high speeds thermodynamically.

Magnetizing
Magnetism can be created using electric current running through a coil. This electromagnet uses induction to produce attractive and repulsive forces.

Metal Forming
Electromagnetic processes are used to form or shape conducting metals. Metals can be shaped more efficiently using this technique because they are able to stretch more than with traditional techniques. This allows for high velocity forming which is capable of over 100% plane strain elongations in aluminum.

Metal Powder Compaction
Compressing metal powder into a die and then sintering the parts in a furnace creates metal parts. Newer compaction techniques include pulsed magnetic forces powered by a capacitor bank.

E-beam Annealing
E-beam annealing is the process of annealing the surface of silicon wafers using an electron beam. The annealed surface of silicon is usually doped with phosphorus, boron, or arsenic to change its electrical conductivity. The use of an electron beam is attractive because of the precision and accuracy it produces.

Laser Shock Processing
Laser shock processing is used to create beneficial residual stresses in metals. It involves a laser beam that vaporizes an opaque material on the surface of the metal. This reaction creates quickly expanding gas which produces the shock waves needed to stress the metal.

Induction Heating
Induction heating is a method of heating and treating metals using electrical currents. A coil is wrapped around the work piece and then a current is sent through the coil to create eddy currents in the material that produce intense localized heat.

Ultrasonic Transducer Exciter
An ultrasonic transducer is used to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. In consists of a converter, booster, and sonotrode. The converter holds a piezoelectric material that vibrates at high frequency when electrical energy is applied. The booster connects the converter to the sonotrode or tool, while changing the amplitude of the input vibration.

Spot Welding
Spot-welding requires electrical current and pressure to connect overlapping pieces of metal. Direct current and capacitive discharge power supplies connected to various weld heads can weld metals in a variety of applications.

Food Sterilization
Food sterilization is very important in ensuring that food is safe to eat and also lasts longer. UV Irradiation techniques of sterilization have been proven to kill bacteria, spores, parasites, insects and delay ripening and decay. The UV flashlamps are driven by capacitor discharge.

Medical Sterilization
Sterilization of medical tools is essential in the treatment of patients. Radiation techniques such as electron-beam, ethylene oxide, and gamma radiation are commonly used to ensure safety in medical facilities.

Pulsed Precipitators
Electrostatic precipitators or ESPs are used to control pollutants in a gas flow. With pulsed corona discharge ESPs, gaseous pollutants such as silicon dioxide, nitrous oxides, freon, dioxin, and other organic compounds can be effectively removed before entering the atmosphere.

Pulsed Ion Implantation
Pulsed ion implantation is used to make the surface of metals more wear and corrosion resistant. This is accomplished by treating a surface with a pulse of high voltage accelerated plasma at very high temperatures. This creates a diffusion of interstitial atoms into the surface, which increases hardness.

Metal Surface Hardening
Hardening of a metal surface or case hardening improves the wear and corrosion resistance of metals. Some techniques include pulsed ion implantation, laser shock processing, annealing, shot peening, and carburizing.

Down Hole Sparker
Down hole sparkers are used to determine the tomography between two adjacent holes. A seismic source or sparker is lowered into one hole while a series of receivers called hydrophones are lowered into the other. The resulting transmissions collected by the hydrophones are then used to depict the composition between the two holes based on the theory that higher velocities result from higher density.

Electromagnetic Mapping
Electromagnetic Mapping uses the theory that different materials propagate electromagnetic waves differently to map geological terrain. The process involves an electromagnetic transmitter and receiver, which are placed in positions surrounding the area of interest. The data collected by the receiver is then converted to an image depicting varying composition.

Well Logging
Well logging is a method of using measuring devices to determine the composition of a well hole or the adjacent earth. Some methods of well logging are electrical well logging, gamma ray logging, and caliper logging. These logging techniques are useful in determining the quality of the ground water, and the vicinities of oils, gases, and minerals.

Traction
Power capacitors for DC link circuit converters are key components of synchronous three-phase drives, which are now a world standard in rail traction.

Research Accelerator
A machine used to produce very high velocity beams of charged particles such as electrons, protons, or heavy ions. These beams are used to conduct experiments for research in radiation, particle physics, and nuclear physics.

Linear Accelerator
A particle accelerator (LINAC) produces high velocity beams of charged particles such as electrons, protons, or heavy ions. These beams are used to conduct experiments for research in radiation, particle physics, and nuclear physics.

Plasma Pinch System
The plasma pinch or z-pinch system creates pulsed electromagnetic radiation in the form of x-rays. This is achieved by applying a high voltage across an anode and cathode gap in a cylindrical shape to compress a confined plasma. The density and temperature increases to instability and emits radiation.

Lightning Simulator
Lightning simulators are used to see the effects of lightning on components without the risk of a real lightning strike. Simulators can mimic different types of lightning strikes such as high voltage, high current, multi stroke, and multiple burst type strikes.

Yag Laser
A Yag laser is a solid state laser made of yttrium-aluminum garnet doped with either erbium, neodymium, or holmium. Yag lasers are infrared and have wavelengths of 2940 nm for erbium:Yag, 1064 nm for neodymium:Yag and 2100 nm for holmium:Yag.

Alexandrite Laser
An alexandrite laser is a solid state laser that has a wavelength of 755 nm. It is commonly used in dermatology as well as laser hair removal.

Ruby Laser
Considered to be the first optical lasing material, ruby has a wavelength of 694 nm.

Excimer Laser
Excimer lasers use a mixture of reactive gas and inert gas. When an electric charge in introduced, a dimer molecule is produced and emits ultraviolet light when lased.

Nitrogen Laser
A nitrogen or N2 laser is a pulse laser with an output of 337 nm in the ultraviolet region. A large voltage is applied to a flashtube containing the nitrogen gas to produce a laser.

Metal Vapor Laser
Metal vapor lasers typically contain an inert gas and a superheated metal or metal vapor as the lasing material. Some types of metal vapor lasers include copper vapor (CVL), gold vapor (GVL), and cadmium vapor (He-Cd) with neon and helium gas.

Fusion Research (NIF)
Experiments at the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California determine the feasibility of fusion reactions in matters of national security, energy production, and high-energy sciences. Four of the 192 lasers needed for fusion have been successfully fired in initial tests of the NIF facility in December 2002.

Electric Propulsion
This propulsion method, as opposed to nuclear thermal propulsion method, uses electricity to accelerate exhaust particles to produce thrust. Although electric propulsion produces less thrust, it is more efficient, able to propel spacecraft for longer distances than conventional methods.

Pulsed Plasma Thruster
A pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) operates by applying a voltage difference between an anode and cathode creating a current flowing across a Teflon surface. The Teflon decomposes and creates a carbon-fluorine plasma that is accelerated by electromagnetic and thermal means to produce thrust.

Deicing
Deicing is mandatory to the safety of the flight crew and its passengers. Accumulation of frost, snow, and ice of the skin of an airplane can considerably change the dynamics of the aircraft in takeoff and flight. A new technology developed by NASA named Electro Expulsive Separation System (EESS) uses current through conductors on the surface of the plane to pulse, causing the ice to break away during flight.

Strobe Lighting
Critical to the safety of commercial and military aircraft, exterior strobe lighting can effectively avert mid-air collisions. Planes and helicopters with anti-collision lighting have decreased risk with the utilization of high-powered lights capable of 2000 candela visible up to 5 miles.