Rare "Captured Lightning" Sculpture - Tesla Spark Tree

We captured a miniature lightning bolt inside this 2" x 2" x 3/4" block of acrylic! This branching pattern within this 2" x 2" x 3/4" polished block of acrylic is technically called a Lichtenberg Figure or electron tree. We call it a Captured Lightning sculpture. It 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 used high voltage electrostatic discharges and finely powdered sulfur and lead oxide to create 2-dimensional figures. Using 21st Century particle beam technology, this modern 3-dimensional version was created by bombarding acrylic with high-speed electrons using a linear accelerator (LINAC). A LINAC 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 easily penetrate the surface, slowing down as they collide with the acrylic molecules, finally coming to rest about half way through. The electrons form a cloudlike 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 added. In a process quite 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. Sometimes, as in the photo below, this process is triggered by poking the charged acrylic with a sharp object. Once the acrylic breaks down, the trapped charge quickly rushes as a miniature bolt of lightning, accompanied by a flash and a bang. And, 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 only rages for less than 40 billionths of a second, the discharges cause thousands of permanent microscopic fractures and tubes in the acrylic, creating a permanent Lichtenberg Figure inside the block. Newer specimens may also have a golden color, called solarization, from the irradiation process. Although solarization fades with time or through the application of gentle heat, the Lichtenberg Figure itself is permanent. 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 light (sunlight - base not included) Typical specimen illuminated by small battery-powered color changing light base Lighted base is not included, but we can supply it for $23 when ordered with a figure. If interested, contact me after purcahsing figure and I will send you a revised invoice.   Following is a short video clip of a very large (18" x 18" x 1") Lichtenberg Figure actually being discharged:   We are only selling a limited number of these beautiful specimens. Lichtenberg Figures 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. 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 An ideal item for that amateur scientist, student, or collector on your gift list!