Fusion Message Board

In this space, visitors are invited to post any comments, questions, or skeptical observations about Philo T. Farnsworth's contributions to the field of Nuclear Fusion research.

Subject: Re: X-ray penetration of fusor
Date: Nov 06, 10:14 am
Poster: Richard Hull

On Nov 06, 10:14 am, Richard Hull wrote:


>>
>> Use a cheap B&W video camera to observe the poissor. I have never looked with my eye into fusor III since the low voltage test phase in Dec 1998. X-ray leaks around this area are the big problem with fusor operation from a radiation stand point. Point this region away from you and onlookers when running fusors.
>>
>
>There is some intangible satisfaction to actually seeing something, as opposed to watching it on a screen. Perhaps a mirror and telescope, or a projection lens and a screen might be a good way to do it.

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Good idea, Jim. Inexpensive, too. This would work great for those needing the satifaction of eyeball to eyeball contact with the glow.

All modern B&W micro board cameras are CCD and with a very high sensitivity in the IR. One good feature is that they provide a vastly boosted contrast for the heated gas and the inner grid.

The eye, in a well lit room, will see only a dull blue glow and the grid might get dull red.

The B&W image on a monitor with its contrast turned up, is vivid, sharp, bright, IR boosted,and un-muddied by color. When the grid is truly red hot, it appears super white hot and affords a self induced "buffer zone" to keep you from letting the grid vaporize during operation.

Naturally, it is a question of taste and impression, but after many hours of peering into demo fusors in the desicator fusor I and the bell jar fusor II, I have no real need for the color or direct imaging to the eye. This coupled with the contrast boost of the CCD, danger of the X-ray blast, etc., makes this an easy choice for me at this stage of fusor work.

I have had grave doubts about the survivability of the CCD in the X-ray blast which gets ever more torrential with increasing voltages, but to date, not one pixel has popped out of view! This is amazing with the near 1 roentgen onslaught near 30kv. I am sure that at some point, the camera's detector will buckle, but until then, I'll stick with the capability of imaging my poissor through a 1" small, inexpensive port with a $59.00 ultra wide angle lens video camera and viewing the image on a bright, bigger than life 36" screen in room light. This also allows many observers the thrill of the view.

Richard Hull