Hey Mike, Good point; it's just that I was staring at an old x-ray xformer when I posted that's about 100KV or so; even my solid state 50KV Glassman is kinda hefty, but as you say it's the current that adds the bulk. I do sort of regret buying that old boat anchor; but you know sometimes you just can't resist....
Sure you could prolly use a piezo crystal, I have a bunch of scavenged units from lighters that I use occasionally for things like triggered spark gaps. I seem to remember measuring them into a couple of pF load at 10KV or so. But the pyroelectric effect is much more amenable to engineering, especially in a sealed chamber as would be ideal for this experiment. Puttermans device has real engineering application as a neutron source, that's what's important. Cheap, reliable, and easy to control. As to the press? Big mouths get big press, simple enough. Remember, CF doesn't exist, so you'd basically have to blow something up with it to get any attention. Don't underestimate the power of belief to block direct observation, as you can plainly see from certain recent list postings.... Say, women over 40 complain of your invisibility problem all the time. "I just don't understand it, when I was 20 cars would drive into fire hydrants when I jaywalked, now people walk right over me without pause" *grin* K. -----Original Message----- From: Michael Foster [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2005 6:35 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Times: Tabletop Fusion Hello Keith, Well yes, but I don't think it would take anywhere near 50lbs of power supply to reach the tiny currents generated by lithium tantalate. For that matter, why not just use the PZT from one of those gas flame lighters. PZT is a slightly better pyroelectric, no? And besides, why not just go piezoelectric, tap the PZT and get a really nice burst of neutrons? Frankly, I just don't get this whole news release. Here's a guy getting fairly major publicity for accomplishing nearly nothing, while people doing major research on CF can't get arrested. The only thing that I can see that attracts any attention is the "cuteness factor" of using a pyroelectric. M. (the invisible man) Keith wrote: > About 50 pounds of iron, and a wall outlet. > You could warm the pyroelectric crystal with your > hands and generate neutrons. > But there is no new physics here, sadly. You are > not missing anything. > K. >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Michael Foster [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2005 3:02 PM >> To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Times: Tabletop Fusion >> Am I missing something? What is the advantage of >> using the pyroelectric crystal as a high voltage >> source over some other more conventional power >> supply? >> M. _______________________________________________ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web!
