C8theGr8

So for one thing with the bell jar set up you can take it apart to swap out the electrodes, so you can test more variables. Then you can just pump it down again and it will be fine.Also, you can make one specifically for x-rays instead of a general triode.Where are you finding $100 x-ray tubes? I haven't seen any. I looked around a lot.I made a tube for the purpose of making a tube as a project, my goal wasn't imaging.

Cool Instructable! I'm an x-ray geek too. (I built an x-ray tube for $200 once). I also think it would be awesome to own a 3D printer!

X-rays can be dangerous. They are also incredibly beneficial. They are more dangerous at higher energies. The risk involved with radiation is a probability. The more you are exposed to, the higher the probability you will receive more harmful mutations. We all have a few cancer cells, but the danger is getting more which could potentially be too much for out immune systems to handle. People would die without x-rays, people also have died from x-rays. The man who discovered them died of cancer. X-rays actually have an overlap in wavelength with gamma rays, and consequently, are sometimes just as dangerous. The sun does produce high energy radiation but ozone blocks most of it. X-rays, then, are dangerous like extreme frequency and severity of sunburn is dangerous.

It is possible to make an x-ray tube tho. I made one. Set it up in a bell jar vacuum system, then there won't be any glass-blowing involved.

Ok, that's pretty awesome.

Oooo... I bet this would look cute as a lime or lemon too.

The sensor doesn't detect radio waves. Waves have to be high-frequency (x-ray/gamma) to be detected by the Geiger counter. Radio waves are low frequency.

No, I didn't have barium carbonate. As a student, it can be difficult to gain access to toxic chemicals for a personal project. :)Just a note, I wouldn't replace a real spectrometer with this one because it doesn't read specific wavelengths. If you don't need to, this is fine. If you could find a way to get it to do that, though, that would be awesome.

I am not sure what the max reading is. However, because the interface is a smart phone app it's probably not limited in the same way and I would guess that it can go up to however high you need. I see in your picture that yours says "nuclear radiation detector." The smart Geiger will detect x-ray radiation that is not nuclear as well (that's what I did). For $35 (on amazon) it may be worth testing and comparing if you use yours a lot.

Thank you! The distance between the diffraction grating and the vertical hole just depends on the box that you use. It shouldn't affect would see too much. You can't replace the diffraction grating with a webcam, because the diffraction grating is what splits the light into the rainbow-like emission spectrum. You can certainly find a way to attach/mount a webcam directly behind the diffraction grating slide, though, to capture any cool spectra you might see.

Attention all,As a concerned Instructables member I have to say:1) are you aware that this setup will generate x-ray radiation? Someone who doesn't already know that could potentially be at risk by not taking precautions.2) this is NOT a nuclear fusion reactor. 20kV will generate x-rays when the electrons strike a target. X-rays are not nuclear fusion, and this would have to be seriously upscaled to get anywhere close.I know this because I built something very similar for the purpose of generating x-rays. It worked. I even used less voltage. I researched heavily beforehand and took safety precautions. I talked to qualified scientists and safety officials. Don't get me wrong, this is a very interesting instructable. But please, DO NOT MAKE ONE if you lack the background knowledge and want …

Attention all,As a concerned Instructables member I have to say:1) are you aware that this setup will generate x-ray radiation? Someone who doesn't already know that could potentially be at risk by not taking precautions.2) this is NOT a nuclear fusion reactor. 20kV will generate x-rays when the electrons strike a target. X-rays are not nuclear fusion, and this would have to be seriously upscaled to get anywhere close.I know this because I built something very similar for the purpose of generating x-rays. It worked. I even used less voltage. I researched heavily beforehand and took safety precautions. I talked to qualified scientists and safety officials. Don't get me wrong, this is a very interesting instructable. But please, DO NOT MAKE ONE if you lack the background knowledge and want to stay safe. You can do this if you understand the science, method, risks and how to handle high-voltage electricity. I did all of this stuff and more as an inexperienced researcher, but I had counsel and guidance in the form of qualified professionals. I would hate to see someone get hurt out of inexperience trying to do this on their own.Apart from this, I find the title misleading. This is a plasma generator and potentially x-ray generator. Not a fusion reactor.There is not sufficient safety guidance in this instructable for handling high voltage or proper shielding. The jar used as a vacuum chamber is also unsafe. A high enough vacuum CAN NOT be made from any sealable jar. The author has not shared and could not share all the necessary background information and knowledge to you readers. Sincerely,a concerned Instructables member.p.s. If you want to detect x-rays, check out https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Use-a-Smart-Geiger/If you want to build vacuums, check out https://www.instructables.com/Build-a-Vacuum-Chamber/

You are right. A convex glass vessel (bell jar) would be much safer. I have an instructable on building vacuum chambers.

I loved these things as a kid :)

I certainly did! I liked to add silver-colored glitter. I did this as a home-schooler in elementary school in science.

Incredible! Thanks for the link! :)

Very impressive! I can't afford to build one, but i've been wanting to learn more about how they work. No better way to do that than know how they're built. Thanks! You should enter this in an instructables contest, you'd definitely win ;)Best of luck at the maker fairs!