2" X 2" X 3/4" Beveled Captured Lightning Lichtenberg Figure Tree Sculpture

We captured a lightning bolt inside a 2″ x 2″ crystal clear acrylic block!
Please note: Lighted base is not included.
The
scientific name for our Captured Lightning sculptures is a Lichtenberg
figure. These are sometimes called beam trees or an electron trees. This
specimen was created by charging the inside of the block to almost 2
million volts, then suddenly discharging it. Lichtenberg Figures are
named in honor of Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, the 18th century
physicist who first discovered them. Lichtenberg originally used high
voltage electrostatic discharges and finely powdered sulfur and lead
oxide to create his 2-dimensional dust figures.
Using 21st
century particle beam technology, we created this modern 3-dimensional
version by bombarding acrylic with trillions of high-speed electrons
using a particle accelerator. The accelerator
creates a beam of electrons that are moving at 99.5% the speed of light.
The
energetic beam of electrons are aimed towards the flat surface of an
acrylic block. As they slam into the acrylic, they penetrate the
surface, slowing down as they collide with the acrylic molecules,
finally coming to rest about half way through. The electrons form a
cloud-like region of excess negative charge, called a space charge, to
form inside the acrylic. Since acrylic is an excellent electrical
insulator, the space charge can’t escape, and tremendous electrical
stresses rapidly build as more electrons are forced into the acrylic.
In
a process similar to natural lightning, the electrical stress finally
overcomes the insulating strength of the acrylic, and the trapped
electrons suddenly escape as a brilliant electrical spark. Usually, as
in the photo below, we trigger the discharge by poking the charged
acrylic with a sharp metal point. Once the acrylic breaks down, a
torrent of trapped charge quickly rushes out of the specimen as a miniature bolt of
lightning, accompanied by a flash and a BANG. The process and underlying physics of how we make our Captured Lightning sculptures are more fully described in this
video.
A one-page explanation of how your sculpture was created will be shipped along with your sculpture. As with lightning, the branching, self-similar discharge can be described mathematically as
a type of fractal.
Typical specimen being manually discharged. Internal charge layer is over 2 million volts
Although the
actual “electrical storm” within the acrylic rages for less than 40
billionths of a second, the hot discharges cause countless permanent
microscopic fractures and tubes in the acrylic, forming a permanent
Lichtenberg Figure inside the block. Newer specimens may also have a
golden tint, called solarization, left over from from the irradiation process. Although
solarization fades with time or through the application of gentle heat,
the Lichtenberg figure itself is permanent.
The internal chains of microscopic fractures act as tiny
mirrors, brilliantly reflecting any light that is injected from the bottom or
along an edge. The sculpture is best viewed against a dark background. Shining
light from behind (such as light through a window) can actually detract from the sculpture’s
detail and overall appearance. As with snowflakes, each
Captured Lightning sculpture is unique! The lucky buyer will receive one
sculpture of comparable quality as the one shown below, and a one-page
explanation about how it was created.
Typical specimen in natural sunlight
Typical specimen illuminated by optional battery-powered color-changing light base
Please note: Light base is NOT included in this auction. If you want to order a sculpture
and a round mirrored multi-color light base, use item
161924798446
instead.
Our Captured Lightning sculptures are stunning, unique works of scientific art. Very few people
have even seen a Lichtenberg figure, and far fewer have ever had the
opportunity to own one as nice as this.
The internal figure glows
brilliantly when illuminated from the edge by a bright light source or
LED’s. They make ideal gifts for those folks who “have everything” or
for discriminating collectors of rare and beautiful objects.
Our team of experienced physicists are Lichtenberg figure experts (“Spark Whisperers”). Stoneridge Engineering offers sculptures in sizes from affordable 2 x 2 x 3/4 inch blocks, gorgeous prisms, cylinders, and cubes with multiple discharge layers, to huge 15 x 20 x 2 inch museum quality specimens. See
About Me
for further information about other Captured Lightning sculptures,
shrunken coins, and the mad scientist at Stoneridge Engineering. Also, please see
other styles of beautiful Lichtenberg Figures and our amazing electromagnetically shrunken coins.
“A
physical experiment which makes a bang is always worth more than a
quiet one. Therefore a man cannot strongly enough ask of Heaven: if it
wants to let him discover something, may it be something that makes a
bang. It will resound into eternity.” G. C. Lichtenberg 1742-1799
PLEASE NOTE: Items being shipped to countries outside the US may be subject to additional charges (Customs Fees, VAT, or In-Country Mail Service Handling fees). Payment of these fees are the sole responsibility of the buyer.
An ideal item for that amateur scientist, student, or collector on your gift list!
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