New type discharge generated in thunderclouds by joint action of runaway breakdown and extensive atmospheric shower

Gurevich, A. V.; Medvedev, Yu. V.; Zybin, K. P.

doi:10.1016/j.physleta.2004.06.099

Cited by 52 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Some physical mechanism must produce current carriers before there will be a current pulse that produces the NBP. Our use of a current that increased exponentially with altitude (see equation (4)) was motivated by the suggestion of Gurevich et al [2004] that the runaway breakdown process should make current carriers (mainly thermal electrons and positive molecules) whose number increases exponentially with distance along the RB, in a direction antiparallel to E.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Current propagation model for a narrow bipolar pulse

Watson¹,

Marshall²

2007

Geophysical Research Letters

101

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[1] Narrow bipolar pulses (NBPs) are a class of highaltitude, high-energy discharges that occur during some thunderstorms. We use a modified transmission line model (called MTLEI) with a current that increases exponentially along the propagation channel to test mechanisms that might produce NBPs. Model outputs were compared to measured E data from a single NBP collected at near and far field locations. We were unable to fit the measured data using the fast current propagation speeds appropriate for a runaway breakdown/extensive air shower mechanism. Instead, by using currents that travel relatively slowly (6 Â 10 7 m/s), the MTLEI model fit the data reasonably well. This result is compatible with a mechanism that uses runaway breakdown to produce charge carriers along with a moving electric field to drive the main NBP current. Using this model for the measured NBP, we estimate a charge moment of 0.6 CÁkm.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to Gurevich et al [2004], the RB-EAS mechanism creates an enormous number of thermal electrons in a few microseconds; when these electrons respond to the large thunderstorm electric field (E), their current produces the NBP.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current propagation model for a narrow bipolar pulse

Watson¹,

Marshall²

2007

Geophysical Research Letters

101

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“…There are some opposite charge clusters, especially free electron clusters in the upper-atmosphere, because of the ionization by cosmic rays from the outer space [17]. We think that the opposite charge cluster mentioned above in the positive charge region is just accumulated by these free electrons.…”

Section: Narrow Bipolar Eventmentioning

confidence: 93%

Using lightning locating system based on time-of-arrival technique to study three-dimensional lightning discharge processes

Zhang

Wang

Qie

et al. 2010

Sci. China Earth Sci.

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A time-of-arrival (TOA) system based on GPS technology for locating VHF radiation sources from lightning has been developed and used in observation sites in the northern Shandong Province, China. The 3D images of the lightning progression have been obtained successfully for the first time in China. The 3D-channel evolutions of typical negative CG, positive CG and IC lightning flashes have been discussed together with the data of fast electric field change. It was found that significant differences existed between the negative and positive CG lightning flashes in terms of the initiation and propagation of the radiation sources. The preliminary breakdown of a negative CG lightning flash propagated at a speed about 5.2×10 4 m/s. The stepped leader of negative CG lightning flashes was trigged by negative initial breakdown. Thereafter, it propagated downward at a speed of 1.3×10 5 m/s. The initial process of the positive CG lightning flashes was also a propagation process of negative streamer. These streamers propagated dominantly horizontally in the positive charge region and accumulated positive charges at the origin of the lightning, and as a consequence, initiated downward positive streamers. A new type of lightning discharge that was triggered by a narrow bipolar pulse (NBP) is discussed in this study. The NBP was originated at altitude of about 10.5 km in the upper positive charge region. As a distinct difference from normal IC flash, its channels extended horizontally all around and produced a lot of radiation sources. The source power of the NBP could approach 16.7 kW, which is much greater than that of normal lightning discharge ranging between 100 mW and 500 W. The 3D propagation of this new type of lightning discharge was observed and obtained for the first time in China. The possible initiation mechanism of this new type of lightning is discussed here. time-of-arrival (TOA) technique, three dimensional lightning locating system, discharge process, narrow bipolar pulse, new-type of IC lightning Citation:Zhang G S, Wang Y H, Qie X S, et al. Using lightning locating system based on time-of-arrival technique to study three-dimensional lightning discharge processes.Realization of three dimensional (3D) location of lightning radiation process provides a new approach to study meticulously the lightning discharge process, as well as the electrical structure of thunderstorms and their electrification mechanism. Lightning discharges are categorized as cloudto-ground (CG) and intracloud (IC) flashes. People are more concentrated on the CG flash since CG flash is the cause of most lightning damage, injury, and death. Many meaningful results [1-3] based on the lightning locating technology and

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“…Later, presented a derivation of the radio emission from a RREA and found a somewhat different equation than that presented by Roussel-Dupré and Gurevich (1996). Starting with Gurevich et al (2002), several papers have calculated the radio-frequency (RF) emission from cosmic-ray extensive air showers and relativistic runaway electron avalanches (Gurevich and Zybin 2004;Gurevich et al 2004bGurevich et al , 2004cGurevich et al , 2006. Tierney et al (2005) attempted to model narrow bipolar events (NBEs)-powerful radio pulses from thunderclouds-by developing a one-dimensional RREA model to investigate RF emissions produced inside thunderclouds, but inexplicably applied it to individual cosmic-ray seed electrons rather than extensive air showers.…”

Section: Bremsstrahlung and Photon Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-Energy Atmospheric Physics: Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes and Related Phenomena

2012

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It is now well established that both thunderclouds and lightning routinely emit x-rays and gamma-rays. These emissions appear over wide timescales, ranging from submicrosecond bursts of x-rays associated with lightning leaders, to sub-millisecond bursts of gamma-rays seen in space called terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, to minute long glows from thunderclouds seen on the ground and in or near the cloud by aircraft and balloons. In particular, terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs), which are thought to be emitted by thunderclouds, are so bright that they sometimes saturate detectors on spacecraft hundreds of kilometers away. These TGFs also generate energetic secondary electrons and positrons that are detected by spacecraft in the inner magnetosphere. It is generally believed that these x-ray and gamma-ray emissions are generated, via bremsstrahlung, by energetic runaway electrons that are accelerated by electric fields in the atmosphere. In this paper, we review this newly emerging field of High-Energy Atmospheric Physics, including the production of runaway electrons, the production and propagation of energetic radiation, and the effects of both on atmospheric electrodynamics.

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New type discharge generated in thunderclouds by joint action of runaway breakdown and extensive atmospheric shower

Cited by 52 publications

References 22 publications

Current propagation model for a narrow bipolar pulse

Current propagation model for a narrow bipolar pulse

Using lightning locating system based on time-of-arrival technique to study three-dimensional lightning discharge processes

High-Energy Atmospheric Physics: Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes and Related Phenomena

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