X-Rays from a Vacuum Tube and Induction Coil

Many months ago, I made a video showing how I was able to use an Oudin Coil (AC power) and a common 7-Watt light bulb to produce X-rays. Unfortunately, those rays were very weak, and for the most part useless.

This new set-up changes that; I've now upgraded to producing X-rays more than capable for casting photograph-able imagines upon a Intensifier (Phosphor) Screen. This video shows my relatively simple arrangement, plus a small gallery at the end showing some of the photos I've taken so far.

Music produced by Omikron, check his stuff out at http://www.myspace.com/omikronnj !!!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• X-Rays
• Roentgen
• Gamma
• Scout
• Radiation
• Vacuum
• Tube
• High
• Voltage
• Alternating
• Direct
• Current
• Lead
• Shielding
• Geiger
• Counter
• Intensifier
• Screen
• Phosphor
• Photography
• Radiography
• Amatuer

[0kynan0]

could i use a microwave oven transformer to power a x-ray tube

[AScannerClearly]

@0kynan0 Highly doubtful; microwave transformers I don't think reach a high enough voltage in order to produce X-rays of sufficient energy to even escape the glass of the tube. Something with 20,000 volts is about the minimum.

[twilson1118]

Do you think a cdv-715 or cdv 715 Civil defense ion chamber would go off on a setup like this? there is one video showing it with a very large tube on a 715 on youtube, something around 2-3 R/Hr.

[AScannerClearly]

@twilson1118 I'm not sure my own tube would scale on that thing, but I was recently able to obtain a pen dosimeter, which is much better at X-ray measuring than any of my 2 Geiger-Muller tubes, and it showed that at a distance of 15 cm, my tube puts off about 105 mR per minute.

[TheReal1inflater]

Great pictures man.. witch such a weak tube, you have achieved perfect results.

I own a heated beam tetrode "6VS-1", which emits copious amount of x-rays when the heater is on. I have tried to record a movie 640x480 30fps in the dark, but all I got was just a blue glow from a blue scheelite screen, no realtime x-ray whatsoever. So I'll try the "long exposure" photo as you did, for 5-6 seconds. Mine valve "shines" enough to create plenty of that radiation "snow" observed on the camera... :)

[AScannerClearly]

@TheReal1inflater Good news to hear that my tube is weak, means I can upgrade easy enough lol. I've got a couple other tubes that I can heat, but when I use a battery to do the heating (lead-acid, 12 V) it barely puts out any more X-rays than my JAN tube, and if I try to use AC for the heating, the electricity runs out through the wiring instead of the tube. I barely get any snow at all right now, unless during long exposures lol. Hope you've had good luck with your pics!

[brewers2150]

Why Aquarium glass? Was that just what you had on hand, or does it contain lead?

[RebelForPeace]

very nice pictures man, please tell me can the OB3 vacuum tube produce X-rays? i plan to make a nice nightlight from it, and now i am a bit afraid. Is that radiation dangerous?

[glaglaglaglaeddy]

Wow, the physics of electromagnetic waves is mind-boggling to me.

[TheReal1inflater]

@AScannerClearly Hehe, I didn't want to insult you with the "weak tube" thing, but mine overflows the Geiger counter located 50cm away from my setup. xD

There have been some measurements from a similar "6VS-1" setup, done by a man from Czech Republic. He measured 100mR/h in 3 meters and more than 400R/h in few centimeters from it. However, 40kV's the max the 6VS tube can physically withstand. You have the advantage of applying higher voltages, where the x-rays tend to be more "hard".Good luck !