Broadband analysis of chaotic pulse trains generated by negative cloud-to-ground lightning discharge

Abstract

[1] This paper presents direct broadband measurements of the electromagnetic radiation produced by so-called chaotic pulse trains (CPTs) in the frequency range from 0.1 to 40 MHz. We identify CPTs as a kind of pulse train with irregular pulse characteristics and erratic amplitudes, which are associated with the leader stage of subsequent strokes in negative cloud-to-ground lightning. The average duration of a CPT is 472 μs. In integrated E waveform, individual CPT pulse width varies in the range of 0.5–8 μs, and the most probable value is 1–2 μs. We find that 48% of subsequent strokes were preceded by a chaotic component. CPTs often produce strong HF radiation. From broadband waveforms, one can clearly see the intense radiation activity above the background noise level during the chaotic period. The average power spectral density (PSD) is used to measure the HF radiation intensity. The PSD distribution of CPTs shows substantially higher radiation power than that of “nonchaotic” subsequent leaders over the entire observation band. Two-site VHF interferometer data are recorded to investigate the fine structure of CPTs. The results of radiation source mapping indicate that CPTs during subsequent leaders occur with a channel propagation speed of 2 × 107 m/s. The data presented here suggest that it is proper to interpret CPTs as pulse activity associated with the dart phase of a subsequent leader.