Collision integral of nitrogen and oxygen and application to artificially triggered lightning

Abstract

The collision integrals for N, N+, N++, N2, O, O+, O++ and O2 were calculated by using the Sonine polynomial expansion based on Chapman theory. The calculations of collision integral have some dependent relationship on the electron temperature. Since resonant charge exchange exists between singly ionized ions and their parent neutral atoms, this requires a special consideration of inelastic collisions in calculating some neutral–ion interactions. Furthermore, the electron temperature, electron density and particle composition of the artificially triggered lightning were diagnosed. And the diffusion coefficient and electrical conductivity of the artificially triggered lightning were also determined.