I plan to build a high power pulse circuit to experiment with Townsend Avalanche in a gas tube.
I'm not sure how to build the pulse circuit input.
Background: A Townsend Avalanche is used in gas tubes, such as neon tubes, and fluorescent tubes, to get 'more bang for the buck' from input voltage. Once the gas in the tube is ionized, a chain reaction occurs where the initially freed electrons generate more electrons. Sort of like if you hooked up voltage to a circuit with a supply of N flowing electrons, then suddenly the wire produced 10N more electrons. A wire cannot do that but an ionized gas in a tube can.
Any recommendations on how to build a high power (high voltage, high current) pulsing circuit is what I need. Ideally the voltage/current level need to be adjustable and so does the time duration of the pulse. I have my own oscilloscope, a 120vdc 10 amp adjustable power supply, and a function generator.
Although I can buy, say, a fluorescent light bulb fixture, then buy a fluorescent light bulb for the fixture and connect it to house 120vac and see the Townsend Avalanche in a commercial product, that's not what I'm seeking.
I specifically want to pulse (not use alternating 120vac) the tube. I have a working familiarity with building/troubleshooting electronic circuits - 2 years military training with communications equipment (receiver/transmitters), 2 years Devry. But I don't consider myself a designer, except for very basic circuits. I have zero experience creating or troubleshooting pulse output circuits. And I'm an old guy, semi-retired, this is my hobby, and a lot of stuff - I have forgotten.
Initially, I will remove the ballast from an off-the-shelf fluorescent or neon tube fixture and apply the pulse circuit output across the tube.
I'm not sure how to build the pulse circuit input.
Background: A Townsend Avalanche is used in gas tubes, such as neon tubes, and fluorescent tubes, to get 'more bang for the buck' from input voltage. Once the gas in the tube is ionized, a chain reaction occurs where the initially freed electrons generate more electrons. Sort of like if you hooked up voltage to a circuit with a supply of N flowing electrons, then suddenly the wire produced 10N more electrons. A wire cannot do that but an ionized gas in a tube can.
Any recommendations on how to build a high power (high voltage, high current) pulsing circuit is what I need. Ideally the voltage/current level need to be adjustable and so does the time duration of the pulse. I have my own oscilloscope, a 120vdc 10 amp adjustable power supply, and a function generator.
Although I can buy, say, a fluorescent light bulb fixture, then buy a fluorescent light bulb for the fixture and connect it to house 120vac and see the Townsend Avalanche in a commercial product, that's not what I'm seeking.
I specifically want to pulse (not use alternating 120vac) the tube. I have a working familiarity with building/troubleshooting electronic circuits - 2 years military training with communications equipment (receiver/transmitters), 2 years Devry. But I don't consider myself a designer, except for very basic circuits. I have zero experience creating or troubleshooting pulse output circuits. And I'm an old guy, semi-retired, this is my hobby, and a lot of stuff - I have forgotten.
Initially, I will remove the ballast from an off-the-shelf fluorescent or neon tube fixture and apply the pulse circuit output across the tube.