Khaberni - A YouTuber known as "Electron Impressions" literally used the term "lightning in a bottle", transforming the metaphorical concept into a stunning visual reality.
In his latest experiment, the YouTuber employed a particle accelerator to launch high-energy electrons inside a transparent acrylic cylinder, forming what is known as three-dimensional Lichtenberg figures.
These figures are branching electrical patterns that resemble lightning trapped and glowing inside the bottle, representing an advanced step from previous designs that were limited to blocks or flat sheets only.
How is trapped lightning created?
High-energy electrons penetrate the acrylic material and deposit an electrical charge deep within it. When this charge is later released, internal cracks form in the material, leaving behind branching patterns resembling trees, which outline the path of insulative breakdown.
Challenges of the cylinder versus flat pieces
Impressions explained that moving from a flat shape to a full cylinder required high precision. In flat pieces, the charge is easily concentrated near the center, whereas in the cylinder, exposure from only one direction results in an uneven pattern that is limited to one side.
Therefore, it was necessary to rotate the cylinder beneath the electron beam to ensure that electrons entered from all angles around the central axis, evenly distributing the charge. The cylinder was rotated at a speed of about 150 revolutions per minute, which allowed it to pass several times in front of the electron beam in just two seconds, covering the entire cylinder with the required electronic dose.
A step towards scientific art
The experiment by "Electron Impressions" is not just a visual display, but a stunning fusion of physics and art, where the complex scientific process is transformed into a form that can be seen and interacted with, embodying the meaning of "lightning in a bottle" in its finest details.
