Plasma speaker: making musical sparks

A video demonstration of a plasma speaker made using a 555 timer chip driving a flyback transformer using an IRF640 Mosfet. The width of the pulses generated by the 555 are modulated using an audible signal. The sound you hear in the video is produced by the spark: there is no other source of sound. WARNING: You should not attempt to build this circuit unless you are experienced with high voltage electricity. The schematic is available here: http://people.cornellcollege.edu/dsherman/plasma-speaker-circuit.pdf

You can also watch the plasma speaker in slow motion here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZI1I8XAdVY

The song played on the plasma speaker is the classic "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" by the Beatles from the Sgt. Pepper album available at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Sgt-Peppers-Lonely-Hearts-Club/dp/B0025KVLTM/

Видео Plasma speaker: making musical sparks канала derinsherman62