Lichtenberg Fractals

Lichtenberg fractals are caused when EXTREMELY high voltages are discharged inside a dielectric (insulated) material. I was gifted this acrylic block that was tapped by a (soon to be de-commissioned) linear accelerator used in radiation therapy that discharged between 4 and 25 MILLION volts. Since acrylic is insulative, as soon as the high-voltage electrode taps and discharges into the block, the electrons are trapped inside and search for “ground” which causes the beautiful branching fractals similar to lightning in the sky.

I built a simple White Oak frame, stained it, and wired RBG lighting inside to create a one-of-a-kind desk display and conversation piece. I am very happy with how it turned out!