Improved Super-Cascade

The improved cascade now gives over 100kV at considerable power, estimated at up to 20W. The sparks on the photo are nearly 20cm (8") long. This was achieved by

adding another TV multiplier (now four of them), capable of 25-30kV each, thus giving over 100kV;
exchanging the old 100pF coupling caps between the multipliers for 2nF ones (taken from a dead multiplier by scraping off the plastic). This should increase the maximum output current, and also (somewhat) the output voltage.

Instead of the graphite balls, which wouldn't take the higher voltage and were too small for the new caps anyway, I use small plastic containers filled with wax and sealed with epoxy glue now. Also, instead of the water-filled pvc hose, I now use a chain of about 30 20kOhm resistors to limit the discharge current. The metal hot-water bottle you see on the picture serves as an additional capacity and suppresses spraying of the discharge terminal.

Despite all efforts, I have great difficulties with spraying. Especially the insulation of the multipliers proves insufficient. I have no satisfactory solution for this problem yet.

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Jochen Kronjaeger
Kronjaeg@stud-mailer.uni-marburg.de