Live Wire!!!
(Fester's Carbon Dioxide Laser Project)
March 26, 2000
FIRE!
First fire was produced March 26, 2000. The project underwent redesign and
construction following tests of a prototype in December 1999. The prototype utilized
machined acrylic heads which proved to be vulnerable to stress fractures that led to
contamination of the plasma discharge tube with coolant (totally unacceptable!). The
redesigned unit utilized machined Delrin headstock. Delrin plastic machines similar to
brass, is non-conductive, and does not develope stress fractures for this application.
Design features of the current model:
plasma discharge tube diameter: 12.6mm
plasma discharge length: 750mm
optic length: 840mm
total reflector: 1" copper, 10m curvature
partial reflector: 1" Zinc Selenide, 80%
electrodes: brass, 0.75" OD, 0.625" ID, 0.75" length, tapped for external leads
cooling system: distilled water circulation thru 2.5" OD acrylic tubing
tubing seals: 100% silicone sealant.
mirror holders: machined acrylic plate
mirror to mirror holder seal: vacuum grease
mirror holder to plasma discharge head seals: o-ring and vacuum grease
power: AC, 12kv, 60ma
