Detecting Radiation Using High Voltage Plasma (Spark Detector)

Bringing light to the invisible, this spark detector takes advantage of Alpha radiation's tendency to ionize air. Add 6,000 volts of uncaged plasma, and now you're able to see the individual pathways which each alpha particle took! Can this be taken even a step...further? Here's the video on the DIY high voltage supply: • DIY Plasma Physics Pow... . I DO NOT encourage you to take apart smoke alarms, period, as they may contain radioactive dust.
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MATERIALS USED
Steel wire: amzn.to/3dvmA0L
Perf board: amzn.to/3uioIim
9 volt lithium battery: amzn.to/3k9Gv6N
Resistors: amzn.to/3aEsElN
Nylon Spacers: amzn.to/3dsigzw
=======================
**Music credits**
======================
Intro music
Track by INOSSI: / inossi​
Free download link:
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Title screen music:
Song: Sappheiros - Awake
Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music.
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported
Video Link: • Sappheiros - Awake (Vl...
Consistent background music while talking:
"Whenever" by LiQWYD / liqwyd
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
Download / Stream: hypeddit.com/link/d7w42l
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[@PlasmaChannel]

Thanks for watching! Links to most materials used are in my video description. I do not recommend you take apart smoke alarms, period. They contain radioactive dust. Leave that up to me, and enjoy the video!

[@postualin6551]

"I WHIL take apart one of that smoke detectors carfuly"

[@deanmav3571]

Do it and you can improve it by change the wire direction and increase the voltage You need also a vacuum to place it in

[@jryde421]

Yes you should definitely build a 3d version of this.

[@numatechprototypes222]

I love it Jay, I would love to see the link you used for the circuit... ill try to make one after making another hv supply for it and i found something while moving a loose hv line during a core with capacitance under vac test... rf makes it very angry and can agitate the plasma and make more in the chamber at a time then usually possible with my setup.. when I get done with the voltage booster and the Rf interrupter switch for my plasma chamber. I said screw it on tuning the bifilar coil and decided just to use a voltage booster with a Rf switch to control the pulse width ... ok time to go make some really angry plasma in the chamber and then figure out how to condense it back into a really angry fusion ball at that energy state.

[@numatechprototypes222]

yup I want a big one, it would look cool on my wall behind the chamber as kind of a back up detector to see the emission .... cant I tune it for xrays ? I would love to show how xrays slow down 2ft out side a vacuum

[@paulroberto2286]

YES! please make the 3D version!

PLEASEEE

[@toxicated7189]

Yes please!!

[@cmscoby]

3d please!!

[@brianmacc1934]

And the dance version

[@GrafRucola]

What is it called again ? Vapor chamber ? :D Thanks I know it’s not the same And it’s cooler without the need for a chamber

[@ElectroBOOM]

Learned something(s) today! That's pretty cool!

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thanks my friend! It’s an interesting process that involved sparks, so, the spark ape in me got excited.

[@LofiPlay9998]

Hyy scucide man😂😂

[@MrRolnicek]

Just don't eat the radioactive bit!

[@dandroid_]

I’d love to see Mehdi build this😂 “As you can see, there is a very high voltage between the steel plate and the wires” 𝙋𝙪𝙩𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙

[@theplasmaprince8651]

@@PlasmaChannel Spark ape oh my gosh, are we referencing 4:44?

[@LalaFafa]

That 3D detector is a big welcome!

[@acompletelynormalhuman6392]

If he doesn't I'd recommend watching videos of cloud Chambers that's another good way to visualize radiation and visualizes all types although alpha particles are especially visible

[@user-ly4dq3of5h]

@@acompletelynormalhuman6392 استمر.... واتمنى ترجمة فديو الى عربيه

[@mikeselectricstuff]

If you do a 3D one, use non-magnetic wire - that way you could try putting a magnet inside to see how the field changes the path of the particales

[@damoysamuel7149]

the idea is good, but the gyroradius (the radius of curvature due to the magnetic field) of Am241 alpha particles (energy ~5MeV) in 1T field (maximum magnetic field of a strong magnet) is ~0.25m , which is too big to see the deviation on such a small scale ;)

[@TreHazenF]

@@damoysamuel7149 This one sentence explanation blew my mind...is there a availabe source of lower energy alpha particles? But i still think the 1T magnetic field is the braking point

[@damoysamuel7149]

@@TreHazenF alpha particles are helium nucleus, so yes it's "easy" to make "alpha particles" at lower energy with a ion gun (but in that case we just call them "He ions" because alpha particles are usually considered to be high energy He ions created in nuclear decay). For example helium is easy to ionize in ecr ion sources (it's a plasma confined with magnetic fields and heated with microwaves). So you are right that with low energy ions you could see the curvature of the trajectory with a strong magnet, but then I'm not sure the ions would still have enough energy to travel more than a few mm in air, and ionize it enough to produce sparks in such a detector ;)

[@TreHazenF]

@@damoysamuel7149 I am very thankful for the knowledge you shared! I learned a lot

[@jcoop3660]

Non ferrous wire

[@ataphelicopter5734]

“You’re being pounded right now, without even knowing.” Excuse me?

[@suprith-science1441]

That's what she said

[@GhalkeLawl]

he said it when i readed this comment

[@GhalkeLawl]

@@suprith-science1441 From Thailand right?

[@professorEduardoBrasil]

please, do the 3D thing!

[@RkicF8]

With 500Kv. ;)

[@agoogleuser1916]

@@RkicF8 with electroBOOM

[@hubb8049]

@@RkicF8 his next 2 videos: How to LEGALLY tap into power line cables How to make an electric 3D radiation detector

[@ChamaraVFX]

I want someone to look at me like how jay looks at acrylic.

[@PlasmaChannel]

Hahahahahah THIS. so much this.

[@TiwoldanArip]

What a sad life

[@RomanoPRODUCTION]

@@PlasmaChannel you should also watch Evan & Katelyn when they are pouring resin, that's hot too and it is still in liquid form

[@SI-ln6tc]

@@PlasmaChannel Any method that also detect x-rays?

[@grn1]

@@SI-ln6tc X-Rays and Gamma are both forms of ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation so something similar to this might theoretically work if the X-Rays are strong enough but would also detect other forms of radiation as well. Might be worth looking into how Geiger counters work since those detect Gamma and could probably detect X-Rays as well. I think the main difference would be blocking Gamma as well as lower frequencies* without blocking X-Rays but I'm not sure what kind of material would allow that. *UVC is also ionizing, UVB is borderline and I think sometimes works like ionizing radiation, UVA and below (visible light, infrared, radio, low Earth) are non-ionizing and probably not an issue.

[@faghihimohammad]

It's a good time when Electroboom and Plasma Channel publish videos in the same week! And I really like to see that 3D detector soon! P.S. : Your videos is interesting both visually and content wise! Good job!

[@justonegoodvideo]

Agreed! :D

[@bluegreen2418]

Jay: Want me to make a 3d one? Me at 3 AM: OHH HELL YES!!!

[@fabrizio1820]

Leaving a comment so the algorithm recommends this more

[@agoogleuser1916]

For all pewdiepie viewers

[@sobhaks7231]

Thats so nice he deserve more viewers

[@richardbonnette490]

Good idea

[@55Ramius]

Super interesting build ! " Takes note on how to disassemble a smoke detector " lol

[@PlasmaChannel]

55Ramius, you have been a sub forever. How long? Do you work with electronics much? Email me - I have a reason for telling you to do this.

[@emmettjordan8737]

@@PlasmaChannel 5g

[@55Ramius]

@@PlasmaChannel I do not know if you received my email you ask for but was not sure of the address. I ended up on Facebook and sending it to [e-mail]

[@pesveriyans8326]

@@PlasmaChannel Hi dude, where can we find how long one be subscribed to your channel....

[@tarun.starboy]

4:44 Thanks for that disassembly tutorial 🤣🤣🤣 Awesome build as always. Lots of patience is required for finding that perfect balance. A hollow spherical top on a cylindrical base for 3-D detector will look good. But a cubical build would be the most easiest and feasible build for 3-D version.

[@tomg0]

Thanks for another very interesting video!

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thanks for being here to enjoy it!

[@rcbowstring123]

3-D detector would be incredible! great video as is though.

[@noahsmith2555]

This is so cool! Great job, Jay!

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thank you!

[@tobiahhowell]

Another really interesting way to visualize radiation in using a cloud chamber. It can detect both alpha and beta particles, and sometimes random radiation decay of radeon or cosmic particles. It doesn't use plasma but still really interesting.

[@juniperbelmont]

Please do make a 3D one! This was an awesome video. 1. I really appreciate the introduction to the kinds of particles 2. I love that you showed the failures and steps that you took to make it better 3. You're a great presenter, keep it going!

[@PlasmaChannel]

Juniper, thanks a ton for dropping such a nice comment. The fact that you broke down WHY you enjoyed my video actually helps me a lot with future videos. I hope you have a great day, and know that you are appreciated.

[@shiellaasis2662]

This is the incredible build i ever seen. Thank for showing us this build.

[@shiellaasis2662]

I wonder what vid will be next

[@MrPeka13]

4:45 - Gold, puure gold :D

[@madhusiddalingaiah5301]

Maybe adjusting the output voltage would be easier than rebuilding the wire mesh to get it just right? A variable power supply might do it. Just a thought...

[@sauvanto9316]

This channel deserves a million subs!

[@PlasmaChannel]

Wooo! You can help by sharing any of my recent videos!

[@KaotoTempest]

This was awesome. Not an approach I would have thought of but makes so much sense.

[@HA7DN]

Added this to my "projects to do when bored" list, entry ~200. Also, I like the change to acrylic, it really steps up the quality!

[@PlasmaChannel]

Hahahahhaha you got the acrylic joke lol

[@mohammadv8560]

"How to make an Electric Dulcimer/Santoor" Coming soon to Electroboom

[@LhwanPSilva]

This seems a competition with electroboom in radiation detectors kkk and of course we want a 3D version

[@paddy2661]

You just never give up till it's working Jay well done amazing build super cool

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thanks 👍

[@RLB9844]

Nice build. Very interesting. I think the 3D version would be super awesome.

[@ammarshaikh7490]

Awsmm Video... But Plzz move on to next project IF it's 3D model will Not be used in any other Future Ideas / projects wahtever.. 😊👍👍❤

[@zagnut48219]

If you want to read something interesting regarding smoke detectors, google "radioactive Boyscout".

[@ChristopherOBrien000]

Finally got around to building this, using the same materials. Never got an answer on the wire spacing, so that part was interesting to figure out, but finally got it working. Very cool, and interesting project, and used amaresium, as well, from an old detector.

[@PlasmaChannel]

Glad to hear you got it working. Nice work!

[@WoodstockDz9]

You could use a ajustable high voltage power suply. Ben explain in his video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHOreqNva5yHepo Since this is expensive, at least to me, you could make one like in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4TEeICie8yEedE So you don't need to worry with the distance between wire and the plate.

[@justonegoodvideo]

Absolutely love learning about radiation especially at the molecular level. Keep it up! :)

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thank you

[@shiningstaer]

THIS is an awesome build

[@gustavskavacs9991]

That's amazing! Your vids are jsut getting better and very cool! I'm very keen on particle physics, and it's very neat to see people popularizing the idea of people learning and experimenting on these subjects on their on at home. Huge thanks, to your hard work!

[@PlasmaChannel]

Oh thanks man. Yeah, i'm all about hands-on, at home learning. 2/3 of all my knowledge is self taught.

[@g-gon8869]

Ludic science made a video on this same topic years ago but you just made it look more spectacular

[@plainkady]

Ah super cool trial and error. And the outcome is improving learning and knowledge for us watchers too.

[@shahiilshet8353]

Your work never dissappoints me love your work

[@PlasmaChannel]

Ah, I appreciate that.

[@schelsullivan]

My new favorite science maker person on youtube. cool stuff, will now be watching all the back log

[@xavierrodriguez8927]

Of course we want the 3D version. Thanks for the video, pretty awesome

[@aarondonaldson4164]

My new favorite YT channel.

[@chaudo8978]

Great Job! Thank you!

[@iamgroot8028]

Great content. This deserves wayy more views and likes

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thank you. You can help, by sharing this video!

[@chimchimlove8047]

Thanks for this! (Also, your dimples are cute!)

[@Magneticitist]

Really nifty idea, seems especially difficult to tune without a variable supply but it seems to work quite well. So cool to see the arcs jump upward along those pathways like that. It also sort of makes a noise in the arcs resembling a Geiger counter.

[@PlasmaChannel]

I showed a good friend, and his girlfriend noted that as well. That it even sounded like a geiger counter. I hadn't thought about that till I showed her.

[@fruitpowerofeden-2022]

definately want to see that 3d build. Great idea! :)

[@fleckione-workinprogress4249]

Thats a cool build!

[@glennjoslyn385]

Enjoying your videos... Thank You from Colorado!

[@PlasmaChannel]

Glad you like them!

[@sreeharylaiju]

Awesome build..

[@fefafafe5059]

Each your success and video, made me so proud and happy. Yes , do it that please. FR from Switzerland

[@PlasmaChannel]

Greetings from Seattle, Washington, and thank you very much.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Wow Jay, that was an epic build/demonstration experiment. With a bit of tweaking you got it spot on. Very impressed. I actually crystallised some Bismuth, along with looking beautiful, it’s also radioactive to some extent. Great video, thanks again for taking your time to share your skills with us. Rog.

[@PlasmaChannel]

Wait, it's radioactive?! I didn't know that. Thanks for the compliments!

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

@@PlasmaChannel Yea mate, it gives off alpha radiation with a long half life. Wikipedia it Jay. Rog. 👍💫

[@atomize2770]

The most underrated channel. I just love every video of yours 😍

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thank you so much 😀 It's comments like this that really motivate, ya know?

[@TannerTech]

Awesome video as always! The quality of these builds are fantastic. It would be cool to add a current sensing resistor in series with the power supply and sensing portion, which should allow you to get a reading every time an arc jumps from an alpha particle. You could then use a microcontroller to count the amount of current spikes per second and calculate a rough estimate of radiation(rem,bq,cu, ect).

[@PlasmaChannel]

Hey....now that sounds intelligent. Good idea.

[@deepanpragadeesh6439]

Such a grate work brother

[@robertleach8429]

Wow , an outer space bug zapper for outer space bugs , I like it.

[@Slowly_Going_Mad]

Sorry I'm late. Excellent build and video as always. Side Note: some products use alpha rays to neutralise static on things to prevent dust accumulation for example.

[@pomegranatechannel]

This one video was enough to subscribe to your channel. Amazing job. Well done.

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thank you. Welcome!

[@RobotUprising]

This was awesome! Taking it to a whole new level

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thanks man!

[@knoxpruett1889]

Very COOL-ola! Thanks.

[@h7opolo]

stay classy, aye aye. hey, i must say, i greatly appreciate the thorough and concise narration as well as your dedication to perfecting this fascinating invention of yours.

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thank you

[@h7opolo]

@@PlasmaChannel why would you not heart my comment? what about me makes you hesitant to heart my comment?

[@dhritishmanhazarika3894]

Godlike presentation skills.

[@GrantsPassTVRepair]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing this.

[@PlasmaChannel]

Honored you enjoyed.

[@1francismur]

Yes please, definitely would like to see the 3d version.

[@youknow8754]

For a source ,try putting a piece of paper towel on top of a vacuum cleaner hose , allow the cleaner to run 5 to 10 minuets sucking air thru the paper , then try the paper for radioactivity , Radon in the air leaves small trace decay elements on the paper with a very short half life making them supper active ...

[@Trump_y_Gore_Won]

Hello! Thanks for the great video! 3D detector sounds really interesting!

[@AscanioBorsato666]

Tnx too much ! Another new lesson for this week . u 're doing wonderful works

[@PlasmaChannel]

Glad you're finding value in my videos brother.

[@instrujil]

Great build Jay! Thanks! What happens if you point the source between the wires and plate from the side (i.e., horizontally instead of vertically? Maybe we can see a long track from one side to the other? Also for easy calibration, can the voltage just be adjusted instead of adjusting the gap?

[@Zenodilodon]

That is neat! Looks pretty sensitive too.

[@shahiilshet8353]

Your works always the best keep it up

[@supercritical5582]

This thing is bloody cool!!! good job

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thanks! It's a really neat little detector.

[@gristlevonraben]

wonderful video, as always!

[@PlasmaChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonasfrigeri6097]

I would love to see a 3d version. Thanks for the video.

[@caphunterx2322]

Really cool video! This reminds me of a video from applied science that explained this phenomenon Also never open the little cap in the smoke detector because you don't wanna be breathing in radio active dust !!

[@PlasmaChannel]

Exactly, very true.

[@zhangleiyan148]

Good work, dude.

[@mohammedissam3651]

Nice! Thank you.

[@ZtokAutomates]

Definately want to see the 3D detector! 2D was pretty awesome!

[@Pantdo]

Nice project!

[@airtransportation]

Yes, a spark chamber detector would be awesome!!

[@sinaghochaniyan3554]

That is nice, I really like to see the 3D version!

[@matthewtucker8796]

The 3D build sounds insanely cool

[@realcygnus]

Cool ! 3D for sure.

[@scotty3114]

Yes, I would be interested in a 3d detector. I really liked this video and I enjoy your channel.

[@pouria_s]

This is So amazing I like the design it's unique You always have the best ideas to make a cool video 👌

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thank you very much

[@shinestargaming]

Sir thank for providing such a infomative video. I want to see your next project plz making video on it .

[@Sarkoooo2]

Love your work 😍

[@siddhik6302]

That 3D Build Would be awesome..

[@damoysamuel7149]

really nice job! :) (I used to build particle detectors for nuclear physics ;) )

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thank you! And that's really rad.

[@daimici_kuulei_aloha]

super fun! Thank you!

[@sarahdaviscc]

The 3D version sounds awesome!

[@noelandrew3600]

if you class 400v as high voltage enough mate, building a Geiger counter is an easy project, and im happy to help with that. they use a voltage multiplier circuit to generate 400v potential across the gieger tube. i have built several and restored several of old ones. i have kinda gone a bit nuts on this stuff of late so happy to help. Fussor is another project im working on. you will love that thing when its done.

[@yanfishtwig2356]

Excellent allways good to see some professional rod handing@4.47 now all us ammeters know how to do it right😇

[@justinbanks2380]

Amazing video Jay!!! Most definitely would like to see you try and build a 3d one! Continue kicking ass! So many projects you've inspired me to make! (Thanks for costing me so much money! Lol, just kidding, can't think of a better use for money. After your Patreon of course.)

[@YashKumar-zm2ud]

Just mind blowing stuff

[@ElvizzV2]

Cool video, cool detector! Would love to see the 3d version of it 🙂 Also thanks for sharing (probably only some of) your failed attempts on getting this to work properly! 👍

[@PlasmaChannel]

Haha, i'm glad you enjoyed my failures and the build process!

[@MEGAVOLT]

great job 👍

[@itsanshtak]

Very very super amazing.. the amount of efforts you put in are so awesome.. i hope great success for you✨🥂

[@PlasmaChannel]

Thank you!

[@greenboy256]

Oh, I absolutely want to see an attempt at that 3D version. Even if it doesn't wind up working out that would be rad

[@antonioherrera8171]

I do want to see the 3-D version go for man thanks for the cool video

[@siddhik6302]

Thank You Jay your plasma channel is great man i love it you teach in such a nice way you got a fan from INDIA 🥰

[@PlasmaChannel]

Greetings from Seattle, Washington!

[@mrtechslab1800]

3D alpha particle detector? That sounds awesome!! 😃👍

[@sawyer3899]

O M G You are soo cool, I cant belive how you dont have milions of subscribers. Imo you are one of the best creators out there, every time you make a vid its always surpisingly goooooood !!!!

[@PlasmaChannel]

Sawyer, thanks so much. That's awesome of you to say. You can help, by sharing any videos of mine you think are shareworthy!

[@sawyer3899]

@@PlasmaChannel I will do that !