If you've never seen neon up close, plasma is such an incredible light source. It's like the light is just floating being emitted from empty space. I took a neon workshop a few years ago, and it became clear why people are still willing to painstakingly make these signs - there is really nothing comparable to them, they're like magic
I love plasma so much, I have multiple “Jr.” globes from Aurora Plasma Design (which have a voltage? adjustment knob), some gas tubes, ancient indicator bulbs from Ukraine/Russia, and an ancient VTG/Rabbit Systems
“Eye of the Storm” E-6000 globe from 1987 (which has two adjustment sliders, and a few cheapo globes.
If you are interested in a globe, I’d highly recommend the “Phoenix Rising” Jr. globe they offer. At lower powers it’s near silent, and you can typically adjust them down to have 3-5 small tendrils wafting around each other lazily. APD’s gloves also have thicker glass, and are rated for running all day at below 80% power. At full power my phoenix rising globe uses ~12 watts, and at the lowest power it’s something like 3-4 watts. Unfortunately tariffs, inflation and noble gas cost have hammered the price in the last year.
I definitely prefer silent and lazy looking plasma instead of the frantic screeching storms that most globes have. I uploaded a few example videos here: https://imgur.com/a/bg8fsCW
One thing you can often do is take a cheapo Chinese glove, and use a voltage adjustable power supply and tune it down that way, though I couldn’t tell you if that’s ok for the electronics long term or not.
Maybe someone that has seen this first hand can chime in but I strongly suspect the real-life effect viewed with naked eye is much more disappointing compared to what is shown in this video. Real physics ain't need to get them likes and subscribes.
I suspect eutectic liquid InGa alloys would work, they stop wetting the glass when you are under vacuum. Although mercury is safe in the tube, just don't break the glass.
To put it in perspective, people used to consume mercury-based medicine. I'm sure if the glass is thick enough, the risk of a spill (and your health) will be generally managed.
People used to do a lot of stupid stuff. If you live alone and are conscious of the risk, sure, this is not a terribly dangerous item if you're safe about it. If you live with pets or children, it's entirely sensible to be concerned about the risk. A mercury spill can seep between the floorboards and contaminate your house with volatile mercury vapors for years to come if not properly managed.
If you've never seen neon up close, plasma is such an incredible light source. It's like the light is just floating being emitted from empty space. I took a neon workshop a few years ago, and it became clear why people are still willing to painstakingly make these signs - there is really nothing comparable to them, they're like magic
I love plasma so much, I have multiple “Jr.” globes from Aurora Plasma Design (which have a voltage? adjustment knob), some gas tubes, ancient indicator bulbs from Ukraine/Russia, and an ancient VTG/Rabbit Systems “Eye of the Storm” E-6000 globe from 1987 (which has two adjustment sliders, and a few cheapo globes.
If you are interested in a globe, I’d highly recommend the “Phoenix Rising” Jr. globe they offer. At lower powers it’s near silent, and you can typically adjust them down to have 3-5 small tendrils wafting around each other lazily. APD’s gloves also have thicker glass, and are rated for running all day at below 80% power. At full power my phoenix rising globe uses ~12 watts, and at the lowest power it’s something like 3-4 watts. Unfortunately tariffs, inflation and noble gas cost have hammered the price in the last year.
I definitely prefer silent and lazy looking plasma instead of the frantic screeching storms that most globes have. I uploaded a few example videos here: https://imgur.com/a/bg8fsCW
One thing you can often do is take a cheapo Chinese glove, and use a voltage adjustable power supply and tune it down that way, though I couldn’t tell you if that’s ok for the electronics long term or not.
Another thing to look into if you love plasma, are toroids (donuts).
Example video demonstration: https://youtu.be/Q4sUre79ncA
More if you liked that:
Zerg Labs [TeslaCoilPro]: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRKfNzc7-524yD8nlyZC5Zg
BackMacSci: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7D566ClLdr1By2JnKh_DgA
zilipoper: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJeTqOt4xDuL2imX7zYnJlw
For those who want to read the wiki article:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barometric_light
I wish I could just buy one of these as a commercial product. I'll never be able to make this and it's too cool to not be able to buy.
Maybe someone that has seen this first hand can chime in but I strongly suspect the real-life effect viewed with naked eye is much more disappointing compared to what is shown in this video. Real physics ain't need to get them likes and subscribes.
But did you not _hear_ this guy absolutely gush about how much of a spectacle it was for minutes straight?
I wish these could be made with something non toxic. Having one on my desk to shake would be a great fidget spinner.
I suspect eutectic liquid InGa alloys would work, they stop wetting the glass when you are under vacuum. Although mercury is safe in the tube, just don't break the glass.
To put it in perspective, people used to consume mercury-based medicine. I'm sure if the glass is thick enough, the risk of a spill (and your health) will be generally managed.
People used to do a lot of stupid stuff. If you live alone and are conscious of the risk, sure, this is not a terribly dangerous item if you're safe about it. If you live with pets or children, it's entirely sensible to be concerned about the risk. A mercury spill can seep between the floorboards and contaminate your house with volatile mercury vapors for years to come if not properly managed.
Just drink a little bit at a time to buoys up an immunity.
Is this "mechanical"?