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Product Information
If you could freeze lightning, what would it look like? This Lichtenberg figure* could be your own personal lightning bolt. A 6 million electron-Volt particle accelerator charged this optically-clear acrylic shape to its breakdown capacity of 430,000 Volts per inch. In a flash and bang, a miniature electrical storm etched a ghostly image of lightning inside -- Frozen Lightning™ The hot plasma of the miniature lightning created billions of tiny fractures in the solid crystal-clear acrylic. These crystallized channels capture and redirect light that strikes them and makes the image appear to shine, especially when illuminated with a dark background. By using a white background, you can see the carbonization also created by the miniature lighting. Carbonization varies with the size and type of discharge shape. The near light-speed electrons used to create the figure also change the electronic molecular structure of the acrylic creating a thin band of beautiful golden tint called solarization on the beam side of the figure. Since it fades with time, the tint band varies from piece to piece. The high-energy electrons also have an accelerated aging affect on the material, like years of ultraviolet light exposure. This occasionally creates microscopic stress fractures on the surface called "crazing." Under certain lighting conditions, crazying appears as beautiful but faint dichroic areas, similar to rainbow colors on a soap bubble. Like snowflakes, trees, and feathers, this beautiful lightning trace is a fractal pattern, and is one of a kind. There isn't another one exactly like it in existence, and there never will be. Proudly exhibit this mysterious conversation piece in your home or workplace, or give it as an unusual and impressive gift. See the awe when you show this to your friends and describe the wild and powerful force of physics that created this rare artifact: a beautiful and mysterious fusion of art and science. Don't miss this opportunity to be the privileged owner of this rare tribute to the power of science and nature. * Also known as: Lichtenberg pattern, Lichtenberg tree, electron tree, artificial acrylic fulgurite, Frozen Lightning™
Detailed View (Typical)
How are our Lichtenberg figures made?PreparationFirst, an optically-clear acrylic shape is cut and the edges polished. Then the shape is placed in a special holding fixture.SetupNext, the fixture is placed in the beam path of a linear accelerator (LINAC) housed in a concrete bunker. The bunker room has 3 foot thick concrete walls to protect the physicists from the electrons and X-rays generated when the LINAC is in operation.ChargeWhen safely out of the room, the LINAC is energized and it bombards the target with a 6 million electron-Volt beam of electrons, charging the acrylic "cloud."Spontaneous DischargeLike a real cloud, when the charge becomes greater than the acrylic "cloud" can hold, it suddenly discharges. With a bang and blinding flash, like a full-sized lightning stroke, J-streamers channel the charge to the edge where it blasts out in a miniature lightning bolt.Most of the flash occurs in less than 40 billionths of a second. But it continues to flicker for a few minutes as the last of the charge finds its way out. The heat of the streamers melts and fractures the acrylic, turning it opaque white along its path. ShutdownAfter the discharge occurs, the LINAC is turned off and locked out, and the technician removes the finished sculpture.Controlled DischargeAlternatively, to control where the discharge occurs, we turn off the beam before the charged block discharges. Then we remove the charged block and strike it with a metal point at the location we want the discharge to occur.No DangerNote, no nuclear radiation or radioactive materials are used anywhere in our process or product. The electron beam is generated electronically. There is no charge left on the block by the time we ship it to you.
We will refund 100% of your purchase price (less shipping and handling), if you are not satisfied for any reason. Please see guarantee details for more information.
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