Re: 1-atm plasma streamers

To: tesla-at-grendel.objinc-dot-com
Subject: Re: 1-atm plasma streamers
From: William Beaty <billb-at-eskimo-dot-com>
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 1995 19:16:44 -0700 (PDT)
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On Mon, 25 Sep 1995 tesla-at-grendel.objinc-dot-com wrote:
> 
> 
> >Ed Harris' work with inert gas Plaasma Globes at ambient pressure shows
> >that spark lengths are immensely increased in argon.  If I blow a stream
> >of argon at a tiny flyback TC, 5" sparks jump up the stream!  Without the
> >argon, the flyback will make a 1/8" corona and 1/4" sparks. 
> 
> How about letting a stream  of heated Argon rise from the Terminal of a TC
> in very still air.
> This approach might produce an interesting effect as well, mabye even a
> 'twister'  if a flat
> platform were placed ontop of the terminal......................just a thought.

Yow!

> Hmm..............mabye some fun could be had  filling a large clear plastic
> bag with argon, and resting
> that on the terminal.

It's neat, but the arc burns holes in the bag after awhile.  Try it!

> How far could the electrodes of a jacobs-ladder be spaced in an argon filled
> enclosure? (not realy Tesla stuff, but an interesting concept.)

My little 7.5KV neon can jump about 1/4 inch, and will makeee a 2" 
flame-arc in air.  In argon it jumps THREE inches, and will make a 10 inch
white writhing plasma snake.  Very weird and 3D.  Fairly low temperature
too, it didn't burn the baggie when it made contact.  I've yet to try
poking the snake with a plastic rod to see how it acts. 

.....................uuuu / oo \ uuuu........,.............................
William Beaty  voice:206-781-3320   bbs:206-789-0775    cserv:71241,3623
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