This three inch clear acrylic cube was irradiated on all six faces by electrons from a 5 Million Volt particle accelerator. Billions of electrons were injected into the cube, forming an internal cubic region of excess electrical charge about 1/2 inch below the surfaces. The excess electrons were trapped and accumulated inside the cube, similar to the way clouds build up huge electrical charges during a thunderstorm. The internal electrical stress rose to millions of volts. The excess charges were suddenly released, creating thousands of electrical discharges (sparks) inside the cube. These created permanent microscopic tubes and fractures inside the acrylic along the paths taken by the discharges. When illuminated, these behave as microscopic mirrors. The branched patterns have fractal characteristics, and the scientific name for the discharge shapes are "Lichtenberg Figures". See much more about these incredible objects of scientific art at www.capturedlightning.com

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