RE: [TCML] Tesla Coil detector

["Nick de Smith" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well, the neon on its own will light up near a tesla coil. I (and many
others) use this as a cheap trick with a nixie or similar tube.

Nick
nick@xxxxxxxxxxx



> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx 
> [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Peter Baitz
> Sent: 22 February 2010 16:00
> To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [TCML] Tesla Coil detector
> 
> 
> I realize this might be somewhat off-topic, but still felt it 
> might of of interest to some. 
> 
> I built this circuit, which is supposed to be a neon bulb 
> beta/gamma detector. 
> 
> Overview 
> http://electronicdesign.com/article/test-and-measurement/simpl
e-geiger-detector-uses-neon-glow-lamp1634.aspx

Schematic http://archive.electronicdesign.com/files/29/1634/figure_01.gif

But thus far all it can detect is my Tesla Coil.   The neon bulb detector
circuit is designed so you can power the neon bulb just up to and just
before it "ignites" or lights up that is.  As such the neon bulb is
"on-edge" for any ionizing particles or radiation to turn on the light.   
The circuit is also designed to quench the light so it can continue
detecting.    

What I found is with the unit 8-10 feet from the TC (in this case a 12kV
60mA unit firing 30-35" sparks) the neon detector is actively flashing on
and off and on.   If I put a double layer of metal screen in front of the
neon bulb, it dimishes the activity to a good degree (the mesh able to stop
a certain amount of EM, but cannot stop particles).    Meanwhile a second
neon bulb connected to nothing at all, does not light at all during the
procedure.   

I still want to test it with the TC running but detuned so it is not
emitting sparks, and see if the neon bulb detector alters behavior, and also
increase distance to much further away.   

So this seems to be a somewhat useful high energy detector, or perhaps it is
indeed detecting electrons (beta particles) from the TC.   Comments on what
is being detected?  

Peter



      
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