11/10/2019
“Linda and I are both science nerds, and this photo captures us at our wedding reception basking in the glow of a Tesla coil plasma in high-purity neon gas. It was a gift from the best man, Dr. Tim Koeth. These sealed glass flasks used to be the predominant way rare gases were commercially supplied for scientific research; the set that Tim gave us contains neon, argon, krypton, and xenon in flasks dating from the 1950s. If stored carefully in this form, they should retain their purity essentially indefinitely. Each noble gas produces an electric discharge of a different character and color: xenon exhibits thin, bright white filaments, for example. Neon glows with its characteristic orange color and, at atmospheric pressure, forms soft, fat orange arcs as seen here. This gift memorializes a fitting beginning to a life together with filled octets (chemists will understand!) and many radiant moments to anticipate. Linda and I are grateful we hired William to skillfully capture the unique essence of our wedding. We will cherish his photos forever!”
-Carl & Linda, 9/21/19
