Exhibit 10.2
         Description of Arrangements Regarding Stock Ownership
                           By Officers

    The Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors of Thermo Electron
Corporation ("Thermo Electron") approved an arrangement whereby each officer of
Thermo Electron is awarded a special annual bonus provided that neither the
officer has not sold Thermo Electron shares beneficially owned by the officer
for a period of three years. The bonus is equal to 10% percent of the officer's
salary in the year of the award, and is payable upon the completion of the
three-year holding requirement and annually thereafter, provided the officer
continues to comply with the holding requirement. The arrangement may be altered
or discontinued at any time by the Human Resources Committee of the Board of
Directors of Thermo Electron.