Have you ever wondered how a camera flash works. Read further to know about it.
A basic flash system consists of a small battery, a gas discharge tube and a circuit which connects power supply to the tube.The two components on the ends of the system are very simple. When you hook up a battery's two terminals to a circuit, the battery forces electrons to flow through the circuit from one terminal to the other.The discharge tube consists of a tube filled with xenon gas, with electrodes on either end and a metal trigger plate at the middle of the tube.As electrons move through these electrodes they energize the xenon atoms which emit visible light photons.
You may wonder how such a bright light is emitted from a battery which may supply jus 1.5V.
The flash circuit comes into action here.The flash circuit consists of a transformer capable of stepping up voltage. This is enabled by the use of two inductors in close proximity to each other.
A common phenomenon known as Mutual Induction occurs here.
Capacitors play a big role in the camera flash system.The flash trigger is wired to the shutter mechanism. When you take a picture, the trigger closes briefly, connecting the capacitor to a second transformer. This transformer boosts current from the capacitor up and passes the high-voltage current onto the metal plate next to the flash tube. The momentary high voltage on the metal plate provides the necessary energy to ionize the xenon gas, making the gas conductive. The flash lights up in sync with the shutter opening.
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