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: Ceramic caps
Date: Oct 29, 11:24 pm
Poster: Richard Hester

On Oct 29, 11:24 pm, Richard Hester wrote:

Right - plexi + aluminum sheet + brass acorn nuts + time/sweat = spark gap. If you have access to a lathe, add stainless rod stock + spark plug + more time/sweat = triggered spark gap.

Seriously, for the type of pulse system Mr. Nichols is talking about, 50-60kV is a good introductory level. I would use a resonantly charged system, which will get you nearly 2X the input voltage if done right, with a charging inductor, blocking rectifier, a single cap, and a thyratron or triggered spark gap to fire off the whole mess. Winding the charging inductor could be a small challenge, but using a fair sized silicon steel cut core will help make the inductor more compact. The inductor will need to be wound in 5-6 sections to reduce capacitance and provide voltage grading, and the beast can be then be plopped into a can of oil. The bobbin for said cut core could be fashioned out of FR-4 sheet or thick mylar. I'm looking at a similar setup to fire my copper halide laser, sans oil, since I'm only dealing with 10 kV.
>
>Probably $100 each, or so..
>
>You'll spend far more than that with all the spark gaps and hardware, etc. Unless, and this is particularly appropriate for us hobby oriented fusorites, we trade nominally free time for money.. Triggered Spark Gaps are expensive to buy, but the materials are cheap. Likewise suitable insulating support structures. Bulk PE sheet is inexpensive and relatively easy to weld and thermoform, but time consuming.
>
>