Plasma Globe

Description
A plasma globe or plasma lamp (also called plasma
ball, dome, sphere, tube or orb, depending on shape)
is (usually) a clear glass orb filled with a mixture of
various noble gases with a high-voltage electrode in
the center of the sphere. Plasma filaments extend from
the inner electrode to the outer glass insulator, giving
the appearance of multiple constant beams of colored
light.

Some globes have a control knob that varies the

amount of power going to the center electrode. At the
very lowest setting that will light or "strike" the globe,
a single tendril is made. This single tendril's plasma
channel engages enough space to transmit this lowest
striking energy to the outside world through the glass
of the globe. As the power is increased, this single
channel's capacity is overwhelmed and a second
channel forms, then a third, and so on.

Placing a finger tip on the glass creates an attractive

spot for the energy to flow, because conductive human body (having non-ohmic resistance of
about 1000 ohms at room temperature) is more easily polarized than the dielectric material
around the electrode (i.e. the gas within the globe) providing an alternative discharge path
having less resistance. The globe is prepared by pumping out as much air as is practical.

The globe is then back-filled with neon to a pressure similar to one atmosphere. If the radio-
frequency power is turned on, if the globe is "struck" or "lit", now, the whole globe will glow a
diffuse red. If a little argon is added, the filaments will form. If a very little xenon is added, the
"flowers" will bloom at the ends of the filaments.

Applications
Plasma lamps are mainly used as
curiosities or toys for their unique
lighting effects and the "tricks" that
can be performed on them by users
moving their hands around them.
They might also form part of a
school's laboratory equipment for
demonstration purposes. They are
not usually employed for general
lighting. However, as of recent
years, some novelty stores have
begun selling a nightlight plasma
lamp that can fit into a standard
light socket.
Hazards
Bringing conductive materials or electronic devices
close to a plasma globe may cause the glass to become
hot. The high voltage radio frequency energy coupled
to them from within the globe may cause a mild
electric shock, even through a protective plastic casing.
If a tinfoil hat or a coin is
placed on the globe,
capacitive coupling can
transfer enough current
through the foil or coin to
give a small arc burn or
light a small lamp
connected to earth ground. This is possible because
the globe's glass acts as a capacitor dielectric: the
inside of the lamp acts as one plate, and any
conductive object on the outside acts as the other
capacitor plate. This is dangerous to do, can
damage the globe, and presents a fire hazard.
PLASMA
GLOBE
P lasma globe a clear glass
orb filled with a mixture of
various noble gases with a Vital
high-voltage electrode in the Statistics
center of the sphere. Plasma Oscillating Voltage:
filaments extend from the 25 kV at around 30 kHz
inner electrode to the outer
glass insulator, giving the Gas inside the globe:
appearance of multiple Usually neon
constant beams of colored
light.

Placing a finger tip on the glass creates an

attractive spot for the energy to flow,
because conductive human body is more
easily polarized than the dielectric material
around the electrode providing an
alternative discharge path having less
resistance. The globe is prepared by
pumping out as much air as is practical.
 PLASMA
GLOBE
P lasma globe a clear glass
orb filled with a mixture of
various noble gases with a high-
voltage electrode in the center of
the sphere. Plasma filaments
extend from the inner electrode
to the outer glass insulator,
giving the appearance of
multiple constant beams of
colored light.

Oscillating Voltage:
25 kV at around 30 kHz
Vital
Gas inside the globe: Statistics
Usually neon

Placing a finger tip on the glass

creates an attractive spot for the
energy to flow, because conductive
human body is more easily
polarized than the dielectric
material around the electrode
providing an alternative discharge
path having less resistance. The
globe is prepared by pumping out
as much air as is practical.