Thanks Ian, Dennis,
After liberally applying loctite to my joints, I got down to approximately 100 microns in about 20 seconds with my rotary vane pump. The set up is not pretty but I figured it would be good enough for a plasma. I believe I did obtain a plasma today (see pictures attached). The gauge reads approx. 100 microns with a glow emanating from the central grid and becoming more intense as the voltage (or what I believe to be the voltage regulator knob on my Chinese electroprecipitator) is increased.
I have realized that I will need to intensify work on the vacuum part of my apparatus if I want to progress to fusion. However, I did get permission to buy the deuterium cylinder from school administration based on my plasma demonstration, so that saves me some money.
Silicone tubing with hose barbs OK to pull low vacuum?
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- Posts: 26
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2017 10:16 am
- Real name: Shireesh Apte
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- Posts: 26
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2017 10:16 am
- Real name: Shireesh Apte
Re: Silicone tubing with hose barbs OK to pull low vacuum?
Many tanks to everyone on the board for the many useful suggestions. I will now start the long task of finding parts for - and assembling - a fusor.
Best,
Shireesh
Best,
Shireesh
- Dennis P Brown
- Posts: 3187
- Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 10:46 am
- Real name: Dennis Brown
Re: Silicone tubing with hose barbs OK to pull low vacuum?
You certainly have created a true plasma. So congratulations on your success (Maybe PM Richard to include your name in the plasma club.)
Also, I thought you had a fusor chamber - that is, a four-way vacuum connector? If you have one of sufficient diameter, don't under value it. Those can make building a successful fusor easier.
I can't clearly read your vacuum gauge image but 100 microns is useful for a plasma, totally unacceptable for a DP based vacuum system that will be a fusor. When your system reaches 2 to 3 microns and exhibits a slow leak back rate, then you are ready for a diffusion pump and start of building a real fusor chamber that one can then hook up to a proper fusor power supply: remember, fusor supplies are always lethal so read the FAQ's on those systems and pay close attention to proper grounding. They are also significant x-ray hazards so a methodology to detect these is important.
As for deuterium gas, this is useless unless you have a power supply that is fusor capable. That is 20+ kV (with negative polarity) that can deliver at least two hundred watts of power or more (both more power and voltage is far better.) So, the next issue I believe, is what power supply do you currently have or are you planing on finding one? If you don't already have one finding those are difficult and not inexpensive. (Aside: a vacuum feed-thru that can handle both that level of power and voltage is important, too. I made my own but many just buy one - again, can be pricy.)
Finally, don't forget that one must prove they are doing fusion and that is a major issue that far exceeds the difficulties of building a fusor/vacuum system. Keep up the good efforts but you need to be aware that just adding deuterium to a plasma does not do fusion nor carries any importance in of itself - just another small step in building a possible working fusor.
As someone who often struggles myself with projects (my accelerator, for instance ... but you are seeing that in real time like most here; lol), I say these things to help guide you, as well as help you realize what to focus upon - not to discourage you; we all start somewhere and getting a plasma is the first real step in building a fusor.
Also, I thought you had a fusor chamber - that is, a four-way vacuum connector? If you have one of sufficient diameter, don't under value it. Those can make building a successful fusor easier.
I can't clearly read your vacuum gauge image but 100 microns is useful for a plasma, totally unacceptable for a DP based vacuum system that will be a fusor. When your system reaches 2 to 3 microns and exhibits a slow leak back rate, then you are ready for a diffusion pump and start of building a real fusor chamber that one can then hook up to a proper fusor power supply: remember, fusor supplies are always lethal so read the FAQ's on those systems and pay close attention to proper grounding. They are also significant x-ray hazards so a methodology to detect these is important.
As for deuterium gas, this is useless unless you have a power supply that is fusor capable. That is 20+ kV (with negative polarity) that can deliver at least two hundred watts of power or more (both more power and voltage is far better.) So, the next issue I believe, is what power supply do you currently have or are you planing on finding one? If you don't already have one finding those are difficult and not inexpensive. (Aside: a vacuum feed-thru that can handle both that level of power and voltage is important, too. I made my own but many just buy one - again, can be pricy.)
Finally, don't forget that one must prove they are doing fusion and that is a major issue that far exceeds the difficulties of building a fusor/vacuum system. Keep up the good efforts but you need to be aware that just adding deuterium to a plasma does not do fusion nor carries any importance in of itself - just another small step in building a possible working fusor.
As someone who often struggles myself with projects (my accelerator, for instance ... but you are seeing that in real time like most here; lol), I say these things to help guide you, as well as help you realize what to focus upon - not to discourage you; we all start somewhere and getting a plasma is the first real step in building a fusor.