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Hank specified that he employs substantial electrolytic capacitors, rated around 70 to 80 microfarads at 400 volts. These components are essential for accumulating charge and shaping the current voltage relationship necessary for the experiment. Initially, higher voltages were required to initiate the process, but now with proper configurations, lower voltages can maintain the plasma once it is started.
Discharge and Vacuum Control
An intriguing check in the function of the Cockcroft-Walton device is its reliance on natural discharge cycles and the relationship between maximum voltage and vacuum levels. Proper maintenance of vacuum levels is critical; as Hank indicated, both voltage and vacuum must be controlled for efficient plasma operation.