One option is neon tubing, either existing pieces you find, or have someone
make up custom pieces. The colors produced will depend on the gas fill
used, and/or the phosphors used on the inside of the glass.
You could also try the plasma globes found online and in novelty stores.
Geissler tubes and spectrum tubes will also light up, but would probably be
more expensive.
My guess is that having a metal electrode which passes from the inside to
the outside of the tube is not essential, but will make it light up more
easily, especially if grounded.
Tedd
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim" <electrical@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2014 1:54 PM
Subject: [TCML] Homemade Glass Art Work Above Tesla Coil
Hello,
Yesterday at the Fair we ran our 9,000-volt, 60-mah NST Tesla Coil. We
hung a 4' fluorescent lamp above it and ran a ground wire to the lamp.
The arcing from the coil lit up the lamp real nice. This has led me to
inquire to the members of this forum if someone can recommend any other
type of object that will glow. Is there a liquid or powder that I can
put in a glass jar that will glow? Can I have a friend who is a glass
blower make me something that I can then line with phosphorous in order
to make it glow? If so, can you please recommend what thickness of glass
we should pursue and whether or not we have to run a piece of wire
through the glass?
Also, Is there anyway to de-charge the local air after running the Tesla
Coil?
Thank you,
Jim