Captured Lightning: 2.2 million volt Lichtenberg Figure Sculpture

You can get a complete complete explanation about how these spectacular specimens are created by visiting:

http://www.capturedlightning.com/frames/lichtenbergs.html

The interior of this 18" x 18" x 1" piece of Plexiglas was charged to about 2.2 million volts (MV) by bombarding it with electrons from a 5 million electron volt (MeV) particle accelerator. This traps a layer of excess negative charge about half way through the specimen. When we manually discharge it, the trapped electrons escape with a brilliant flash and a loud bang. The hot, lightning-like discharges create thousands of microscopic channels and fractures inside the acrylic. The result is a branching "Captured Lightning" sculpture (or Lichtenberg Figure). This fractal 2D form has a fractal dimension of about 1.7.

This video was captured and edited by Terry Blake. The specimen was owned and discharged by Jeff Larson during our 2005 production run. Be sure to see our other videos about making Lichtenberg Figures:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Po35g23fYI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrKpKwi5pTo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h57xNxG_tSg

You can get one of your own sculptures here:
http://www.capturedlightning.com/frames/interesting.html
http://www.capturedlightning.com/frames/interesting3.html

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Lightning
• Lichtenberg Figure
• high-voltage
• Tesla
• sparks
• discharge
• fulgurite
• electron tree
• Bert Hickman
• fractal
• dielectric breakdown
• space charge
• beam
• acrylic
• PMMA
• capacitor
• static electricity
• electrons
• MeV
• accelerator
• electric
• electrical
• spark tree
• Jeff
• Larson
• Terry
• Blake

[DAKODA65]

all i see is a tree, i accidentally came across this what is it?

[BertHickman]

@DAKODA65 Read the video description and check out the links provided there. Basically, the "tree" is a fossil of a lightning-like discharge that was created deep inside a piece of clear plastic.

[ProToolPat]

when you look at the paths, like some say it resembles some plant growth. I also see a similarity to this electron flowing pattern and water flowing, its looks like streams hitting rivers then all emptying in one delta like point??? anybody else see what I mean?

[BertHickman]

@ollieoniel

The process doesn't work well with liquid dielectrics. Injected charges tend to spread out and leak away within a fluid, since fluid molecules are quite mobile compared to those in a solid dielectric like Plexiglas. I know of no liquid that has the high insulation resistance and high dielectric strength of Plexiglas. It MIGHT work if the rate of injection (higher e-beam current) was faster than the fluid charge diffusion and leakage rates. A very interesting question though.. :^)

[astronautis1674]

@ProToolPat we can see what you mean, but not why you're saying it....

[nekrox1]

Ok but why ? What is it do , i mean what is the purpose of all this , can someone expalin that to me because i don`t think i can put that on my fish tank ... Don`t get me wrong i like that , it was cool , but can that be useful ? Thanks anyway and sorry if i offended anyone...

[pedrogregorio]

@ProToolPat yes omg! isnt it weird how they all share that characteristic? from rivers, plants, lightnings, veins! I can ALMOST sympathize with those who believe in intelligent design... but i don't think its conclusive... WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK? :)

[dodsonsth]

Its amazing, how lightening looks like viens. As if, ... circulatory systems were zapped into existence. "Hmmmmm" lol

[marespand]

beautiful idea

[gunlamon55]

art !

[bLackmarketRadio]

@ProToolPat the phenomenon is called fractals. google it. it will blow your mind.

[SWFC1100]

no im not due compensation