Artificial fireball generation via an erosive discharge with tin alloy electrodes

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method to generate long-lasting fireball-like objects using erosive discharge between tin alloy electrodes, which exhibit properties similar to natural ball lightning, including high energy density and the ability to burn through metal.

Contribution

The study presents a new technique for creating autonomous fireball objects with properties akin to ball lightning, including detailed analysis of their structure and dynamics.

Findings

Generated fireballs have high energy density.

Fireballs can burn through thin metal foils.

Presence of tin oxide nanoparticles and nanowhiskers in fireball structure.

Abstract

We propose a method for generation of long-living autonomous fireball-like objects via a pulse erosive discharge between tin alloy electrodes. The objects are similar to the natural ball lightning in some properties, in particular, they have high energy density and are capable to burn through thin metal foils. The dynamics of the objects are studied using high speed videorecording. During their lifetime the fireballs generate aerogel threads. The studies of their structure by scanning electron microscopy reveal the presence of tin oxide nanoparticles and nanowhiskers.