RE: High speed Tesla spark photographs

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>

I had the same question, but after studying one image on Peter's web
page more carefully, I think I understand.  The photo that shows a
burning dust mote:
http://tesladownunder.com/HVRotMirrorTeslabigSpark1dustmote.jpg
...shows a single, more or less horizontal arc, with just one point
within the arc smearing vertically.  Peter concludes this is a burning
dust mote, and this demonstrates that the arc luminosity must be pulsing
at 2xFres.  I found this to be very surprising, since I would have
guessed that the thermal time constant of the plasma channel would be
far longer than a fraction of the Fres period.

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA

> Original poster: Russell L Thornton <Russell.L.Thornton@xxxxxxxx>
>
> I guess I am showing my ignorance or I missed a message somewhere,
> but I am unclear as to why the image captured through a rotating
> mirror will not be smeared.  Could someone please take a moment and
> explain the process in a little more detail.  Off-line is OK if it
> will be redundant to the list.
> Thanks,
> Russ