Abstract
dc:description.abstract<p>The research presented here describes a unique way to deposit a large amount of charge onto the surface of a thin dielectric sheet to create a Lichtenberg electret that can be discharged elsewhere to form spectacular Lichtenberg figures. This study examines how the amount of charge deposited onto the surface, the geometry of the probes, and the type of material used can all impact the formation of the Lichtenberg figures. Photographs of the Lichtenberg figures were taken and used to determine the voltage, current, and energy released during each discharge. It was found that a single discharge can release 0.49 J of energy in 1.24 μs for a Lichtenberg figure that covers approximately 500 cm<sup>2</sup>. Lichtenberg figures can be used to characterize high-voltage surges on power lines, to diagnose lightning strike victims, to analyze electrical breakdown of insulating materials, for artistic purposes, and for similar applications where pulsed capacitors are commonly used.</p>
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Master of Science (MS)
- Level thesis:degree_level
- Open Access Thesis
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- Physics and Astronomy
- Year dc:date.available
- 2015
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Wood, Monika
- Contributors dc:contributor
-
- Patrick Koehn, Ph.D.
- James Sheerin, Ph.D.
- Ernest Behringer, Ph.D.
Subjects
dc:subject × 7Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Repository record dc:identifier
- https://commons.emich.edu/theses/713
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2092