Nikola Tesla - Free-Energy Devices

256 INVENTIONS OF NIKOLA TESLA.Then, if a metal be in a large measure, or perhaps entirely, deprivedof that property, it should be capable of phosphoresence.Therefore it is quite possible that at some extremely high frequency,when behaving practically as a non-conductor, a metalor any other conductor might exhibit the quality of phosphoresence,even though it be entirely incapable of phosphorescingunder the impact of a low-frequency discharge. There is, however,another possible way how a conductor might at least appearto phosphoresce.Considerable doubt still exists as to what really is phosphorescence,and as to whether the various phenomena comprisedunder this head are due to the same causes. Suppose that in anexhausted bulb, under the molecular impact, the surface of apiece of metal or other conductor is rendered strongly luminous,but at the same time it is found that it remains comparativelyNowcool, would not this luminosity be called phosphorescence?such a result, theoretically at least, is possible, for it is a merequestion of potential or speed. Assume the potential of theelectrode, and consequently the speed of the projected atoms, tobe sufficiently high, the surface of the metal piece, against whichthe atoms are projected, would be rendered highly incandescent,since the process of heat generation would be incomparably fasterthan that of radiating or conducting away from the surface ofthe collision. In the eye of the observer a single impact of theatoms would cause an instantaneous flash, but if the impacts wererepeated with sufficient rapidity, they would produce a continuousimpression upon his retina. To him then the surface of themetal would appear continuously incandescent and of constantluminous intensity, while in reality the light would be eitherintermittent, or at least changing periodically in intensity. Themetal piece would rise in temperature until equilibrium wasattained that is, until the energy continuously radiated wouldequal that intermittently supplied. But the supplied energymight under such conditions not be sufficient to bring the bodyto any more than a very moderate mean temperature, especiallyif the frequency of the atomic impacts be very low just enoughthat the fluctuation of the intensity of the light emitted couldnot be detected by the eye. The body would now, owing to themanner in which the energy is supplied, emit a strong light, andHowyet be at a comparatively very low mean temperature.should the observer name the luminosity thus produced Even ?if