Stepping Up Transformer

I wanted to take a look inside a "chucka" (chuck-away) camera to see how the flash worked. To my amasement I found a 1.5v standard AAA battery, a transistor, two small transformers/inductors and a capacitor. I wondered how a small 1.5v battery could be "stepped up" to the extent that it could power a flash unit, heat up and even give a reasonable electric shock if you touch the contacts!? I also wondered why there is a whining noise when the flash unit is switched on?

Further investigation revealed the electronic components configured in a simple operational amplifier and Tesla Tuned Coil circuit...

The circuit "whines" when the flash is switched on because the resonating coils in the Tesla Tuned Coil circuit are finding their optimum operating frequency.

When the circuit is "tuned" the stepped up voltage is suffucient to power the flash unit.

Incredible technology and incredibly simple!

I am wondering what else this technology could be used for?


MUSIC:
Smoothie Song by Nickel Creek


THANKS FOR WATCHING!