"F"-RAYS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 170, 24 August 1914, Page 9

"F"-RAYS.

DISCOVERER EXPLAINS FUNCTIONS. Signor Giulio Ulivi, the Florentine engineer, has written the following scientific explanation of "F"-rays for the New York "Sun":—

Everybody knows that white light can be decomposed by a prism into the seven spectral colours, and therefore it is not a simple colour. For some time spectrum analysis revealed only the visible phenomenon of the dissociation of colours. Later the discovery was made that the seven radiations were essentially characterised by their wave length, namely by the number of their vibrations.

Infra-red and ultra-violet rays were subsequently detected and classified. Beyond the ultra-violet rays there is an unseen and unknown division of rays, and at the other end of the spectrum, beyond the infra-red division and after the electromagnetic waves of Hertz, there is still another unseen and unknown zone. All phenomena, like electricity, magnetism, coiour, light, and perhaps gravitation, are vibratory phenomena, characterised by periods, or in other terms, differing from each other by their length of wave. PURELY ELECTRIC WAVES.

I The results obtained by me are in perfect harmony with all the known rules of vibratory physics and they are theoretically possible. They are the natural development of modern physical knowledge and the logical connection of previous research work. "F"-rays coine from the infra-red end of the spectrum, they are close to Hertzian waves, and hence purely electric waves with more or less similar properties. As, however, they are nearer to luminous waves than the Hertzian waves are, they approach the former and sufficiently follow their rules. This explains how I have been able to reflect and concentrate "F''-rays. In 1889 the French physicist, Joubert, happened to draw two keys out of his pocket, anil on accidentally bringing them ; together he was surprised to see that they produced electric sparks. The reason for this phenomenon was that an electric machine was in action at the time in his laboratory and that Hertzian waves were being produced. The sparks obtained from the keys were therefore a pure case of resonance. The results of my invention are based on methodical researches an<J scientific experiments of many similar isolated phenomena. They were predicted by Gus-t-ave Le Bon some years ago. He said that when electric rays could be controlled we would witness phenomena of such greatness that our mode of life would be revolutionised.

In my experiments with Frays I proceed as follows: It is ly-st of all necessary to detect the existence of a body that lias to be reached in space and determine its exact distance. The process of reflected or return waves is sufficient in such cases and it is easily understood even by the quasi-profane in the science of electricity. Something 1 similar is already in practical use on ships to discover the existence and distance of icebergs. This is purely a phenomenon of sonorous echo and some appliances now in use are so. perfect that the intensity of the reflected sound serves to determine even the direction of an iceberg. FIX DISTANCE AND DIRECTION.

This same process can be applied with extreme precision to electromagnetic waves—that is, to both purely luminous and purely electrical waves. I invented and constructed two special machines, one of which indicates the distance of bodies that are in resonance and the other their direction. These two machines are controlled simultaneously and thus the work of the operator is enormously simplified. When the distance and the direction of a body have been found it is necessary to send out radiations capable of passing through the intervening metal and sufficiently intense to produce a spark strong enough to cause an explosion. Branly and Berthelot practically demonstrated that it was not necessary to use violent radiations like X r rays to pass through solid bodies. Slow radiations penetrate and cross solid and F rays have essentially this property. The instruments I use must necessarily be perfect in order to overcome great difficulties, such as the defence against the influence of atmospheric electricity and other causes of perturbation. The results obtained from my experiments demonstrate that I have succeeded in overcoming all such difficulties. 1

[Llivi's invention has since been proved a "fake."]