I ripped the GFCI out of the 15kV 30mA neon sign transformer so that it will not shut off in the middle of producing plasma due to a ground fault or other issue. I also let the chamber pump down for longer than ten minutes, and I was greeted by a plasma “star” in the center of the grid. I have a large fan blowing on the roughing pump because it gets really hot (~65-70C) after running for just five minutes. The last thing I want it a seized rotor or pump vane.
The Granville Phillips Series 275 convectron gauge I bought came with a fried circuit board, so luckily I got a refund from the seller. Digital vacuum gauges are so expensive…
Without a gauge, I don’t know if my diffusion pump is working properly. I can’t tell any difference between the plasma with the diff pump on or off. I’m currently looking for a cheap (<150 for pump, <250 for pump with controller) turbomolecular pump on Ebay. If I find a cheap pump without controller, I’ll build a controller. I’m watching this one right now. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Edward-turbomolecular-pump-with-controller-unit-/201249645226?pt=BI_Pumps&hash=item2edb69e2aa
I have finally ordered the parts for a high frequency H-bridge driver for the x-ray transformer from Mouser.
This is the circuit I will be using. With this transformer.
I talked with a physics professor at my school, and he might be able to help me acquire a deuterium cylinder. The company I tried to buy deuterium from, Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, only sells to businesses and universities.
I made a CAD of the fusor in Autodesk Fusion 360 with imported parts.
The whole fusor with a work in progress diffusion pump.
I’ll hopefully get a picture of the whole setup tomorrow.
-Liam
hey there liam, i was diggin’ up about IEC fusors and got directed over here. Actually i was doing some project in alternative energy and tokmak reactors are of kinda unusable for me. So if u are willing please do contact me in twitter @263crushed.
thank u!