UV Radiation (fwd)

To: tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com
Subject: UV Radiation (fwd)
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-stic-dot-net>
Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 01:04:23 -0500
Approved: tesla-at-stic-dot-net

Subject:  UV Radiation (fwd)
  Date:   Tue, 13 May 1997 22:36:40 -0600 (MDT)
  From:   List owner <listown-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com>
    To:   tesla-at-poodle.pupman-dot-com

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 10:34:40 -0600
From: Rodney Davies <rgd872-at-anu.edu.au>
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: UV Radiation

Hi All,

-- Quote from a Scientific American book, Light and Its Uses...

"It has been known for some time that a high-current electric discharge
in
nitrogen gas that is flowing at a relatively low pressure can generate a
pulse of coherent radiation, which is at a wavelength of around 3371
Angstroms.
If the emitted photon is to encounter another excited molecule of
nitrogen and merely by its proximity stimulate the molecule to emit an
identical photon. In this case, the two particles of radiation join
forces
and proceed in the same direction in coherent step. The resulting pulse
of
radiation contains twice the energy of each photon. Basically becoming
laser action."
This is ultra-violet radiation.

The obvious place for a high-current discharge is in the spark-gap,
of which there is a fairly-high probability of nitrogen being present.

If ones eyes are exposed to a reasonable amount of this radiation, they
will find that the cornea turns a partially milky-opaque, perhaps
further
damaging the retina.

A few people have told me many times not to have the spark-gap visible
by
the naked eye (basically completely shielded) during operation. 

How much radiation can be produced by the spark-gap and how dangerous is
it?

Has anyone got any ideas, suggestions, experiences etc with this topic?

Well, happy coiling, and don't look at the spark-gap during arcing! :-)

Catchya later!

Rod