Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A device for attenuating an electromagnetic pulse generated in an installation wherein a high-power laser beam is sent to a target mounted on a target support, comprising:an electrically conductive plate, electrically connected to an electrical earth of the installation and to which the target support is fixed;a plate of material which absorbs electromagnetic waves fixed to one face of the electrically conductive plate located on the target support side; andmeans for passing a discharge current which is the result of an interaction of the laser beam with the target between the target and the electrically conductive plate, wherein the means for passing the discharge current are equipped with means for attenuating said current. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for passing the discharge current comprise an electrically conductive element mounted in series with a current limiting resistance, wherein the electrically conductive element mounted in series with the current limiting resistance constitutes the target support. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for passing the discharge current comprise an electrically conductive element mounted in series with an inductance, wherein the electrically conductive element mounted in series with the inductance constitutes the target support. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for passing the discharge current are made up of an electrically conductive element and the means for attenuating the current are made up of an element of material which absorbs a magnetic field which surrounds the electrically conductive element, wherein the electrically conductive element surrounded by the material which absorbs the magnetic field forms the target support. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for passing the discharge current are made up of an electrically conductive element mounted in series with a current limiting resistance and with an inductance, wherein the electrically conductive element mounted in series with the resistance and the inductance constitutes the target support. 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein an element of material which absorbs a magnetic field surrounds the electrically conductive element. 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the target support is made of an electrically insulating material and the means for passing the discharge current comprise an electrically conductive part mounted in series with a current limiting resistance, a first end of the electrically conductive part being linked to the target and a second end of the electrically conductive part being fixed to the electrically conductive plate, in an opening made in the plate of material which absorbs electromagnetic waves. 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the target support is made of an electrically insulating material and the means for passing the discharge current comprise an electrically conductive part mounted in series with an inductance, a first end of the electrically conductive part being linked to the target and a second end of the electrically conductive part being fixed to the electrically conductive plate, in an opening made in the plate of material which absorbs electromagnetic waves. 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the target support is made of an electrically insulating material, the means for passing the discharge current comprise an electrically conductive part, a first end of the electrically conductive part being linked to the target and a second end of the electrically conductive part being fixed to the electrically conductive plate, in an opening made in the plate of material which absorbs electromagnetic waves and the means for attenuating the current are made up of an element of material which absorbs a magnetic field which surrounds the electrically conductive part. 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the target support is made of an electrically insulating material and the means for passing the discharge current comprise an electrically conductive part mounted in series with a current limiting resistance and an inductance, a first end of the electrically conductive part being linked to the target and a second end of the electrically conductive part being fixed to the electrically conductive plate, in an opening made in the plate of material which absorbs electromagnetic waves. 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein an element of material which absorbs a magnetic field surrounds the electrically conductive part. 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the material which absorbs the electromagnetic waves is a ferrite. 13. The device according to claim 4, wherein the material which absorbs the magnetic field is a ferrite. 14. The device according to claim 6, wherein the material which absorbs the magnetic field is a ferrite. 15. The device according to claim 9, wherein the material which absorbs the magnetic field is a ferrite. 16. The device according to claim 11, wherein the material which absorbs the magnetic field is a ferrite. 17. The device according to claim 1, wherein a plate of electrically insulating material covers a face of the electrically conductive plate located on the side opposite the target support.