Thundercloud Electric Field Research Articles

Electromagnetic Model of K‐Changes

AbstractK‐changes are observed as step‐like increases in the thundercloud electric fields. The K‐changes occur in the late part of intra‐cloud lightning or during negative cloud‐to‐ground lightning between return strokes. It has been shown that the processes leading to K‐changes initiate in the decayed part of a positive leader channel and propagate toward the flash origin. They are often accompanied by microsecond‐scale electric field pulses. We introduce a new model to simulate processes leading to the K‐changes in cloud‐to‐ground lightning. Our method is based on the full solution of Maxwell's equations coupled to Poisson's equation for the thundercloud charge structure. To model the K‐changes, we gradually increase the decayed channel conductivity. The modeled current wavefront propagates due to the K‐processes downward along a vertical channel and completely attenuates before reaching the ground. We derive the evolution of the linear charge densities and the scalar electric potential along the channel leading to K‐changes. We model electrostatic step‐like changes in the measured electric field together with the approximate rates and amplitudes of the microsecond scale pulses. Step‐like changes increase their amplitudes with the length of the simulated channel and with a higher conductivity of the channel. The microsecond‐scale pulse waveshapes depend mainly on the propagation velocity of the current wave, and the time scale of the conductivity increase. We show that our modeled waveforms are in a good agreement with observations conducted in Florida.

Evidence of a New Population of Weak Terrestrial Gamma‐Ray Flashes Observed From Aircraft Altitude

AbstractTerrestrial Gamma‐ray Flashes (TGFs) are ten‐to‐hundreds of microsecond bursts of gamma‐rays produced when electrons in strong electric fields in thunderclouds are accelerated to relativistic energies. Space instruments have observed TGFs with source photon brightness down to ∼1017–1016. Based on space and aircraft observations, TGFs have been considered rare phenomena produced in association with very few lightning discharges. Space observations associated with lightning ground observations in the radio band have indicated that there exists a population of dimmer TGFs. Here we show observations of TGFs from aircraft altitude that were not detected by a space instrument viewing the same area. The TGFs were found through Monte Carlo modeling to be associated with 1015–1012 photons at source, which is several orders of magnitude below what can be seen from space. Our results suggest that there exists a significant population of TGFs that are too weak to be observed from space.

Ice Crystal Alignment: A Concept for High-Temporal-Resolution Monitoring Using Polarimetric Phased Array Radar

Abstract This article describes a concept whereby future operational polarimetric phased array radars (PPAR) routinely monitor ice crystal alignment regions caused by thundercloud electric fields with volume scan updates (∼12 min−1) sufficient to resolve the temporal variation due to lightning and subsequent rapid electric field regeneration in nonsevere thunderstorms. Routine observations of crystal alignment regions may enhance thunderstorm nowcasting through comparison of their temporal and spatial structure with other polarimetric signatures, integration with lightning detection data, and assimilation into convection resolving numerical weather prediction models. If crystal alignment observations indicate strong electrification well in advance of the first lightning strike and likewise reliably indicate the decay of strong electric fields at the end of a storm, this capability may improve warning for lightning-sensitive activities such as airport ramp operations and space launch. Experimental observations of crystal alignment volumes in central Oklahoma severe storms and their relation to those storms’ structures are presented and used to motivate discussion of possible PPAR architectures. In one case—a tornadic supercell—these observations illustrate an important limitation. Even the hypothesized 12 min−1 volume scan update rate would not resolve the temporal variation of the crystal alignment regions in such storms, suggesting that special, adaptive scanning methods may be appropriate for such storms. We describe how future operational phased array radars could support a crystal alignment measurement mode via parallel, time-multiplexed processing and discuss potential impacts on the radar’s primary weather observation mission. We conclude by discussing research needed to better understand technical challenges and operational benefits.

Relativistic Runaway Electron Avalanche Development Near the Electric Field Threshold in Inhomogeneous Air

AbstractRelativistic Runaway Electrons Avalanches (RREAs) development depends on the applied electric field and the environment's air density. This dependency controls the RREA exponential growth length scale. The RREA development affects the bremsstrahlung excess occurring due to the passage of charged particles through the thundercloud's electric fields, the gamma‐ray glow. We used Monte Carlo simulations to develop an empirical model showing the RREA behavior in a realistic atmospheric density profile. The new formulation shows how the density variation modulates the electron population under electric field strengths near the RREA electric field threshold. The model limits the initial RREA altitude range as a function of the electric field strength. The new model is valid between ∼0.6 and ∼18 km, covering the relevant heights to investigate the generation of ground‐detected gamma‐ray glows.

Experimental study on positive corona discharge characteristics in plane-single/double earthed rods air gaps under negative DC voltage

In order to analyze the corona discharge characteristics at the grounding object tip under the thundercloud electric field environment, scaled simulation test has been conducted on corona discharge in the plane-single/double earthed rods air gap. Five gap configurations with three different grounding rods were built during experiments. Factors as rod tip curvature, voltage and gap configuration have been considered in detail. Corona voltage, corona current and the number of ultraviolet photons were all recorded. The grounding rod tip curvature radius can affect corona discharge processes at grounding rod tip. With increasing applied negative DC voltage, five typical corona processes of dark discharge, burst streamer corona, periodic streamer corona, glow corona and brush discharge occurred at conical and spherical grounding rod tip (r=0.75cm), but under d=5cm and d=10cm no glow corona and brush corona appeared at spherical grounding rod tip (r=1.25cm). It is much easier for grounding rod tip with smaller curvature to form glow corona phenomenon. The mean value Iav of periodic streamer corona current pulse amplitude decreases with grounding rod tip curvature radius, while the mean corona current pulse width and pulse interval increases. For grounding rod with conical tip, there is little difference of average current pulse amplitude between periodic streamer corona and brush corona; for grounding rod with spherical tip (r=0.75cm), the mean value Iav of brush corona pulse amplitude increases to 3595.8 μA which has increased by a factor of about 36. The photon number at conical grounding rod tip is larger than that at spherical grounding rod tip at low voltage but the relation reverses as the applied voltage exceeds a critical value. The shielding effect of two grounding rods in plane-double rods air gaps increased with spherical grounding rod curvature radius and decreases with the lateral gap distance between two grounding rods.

Simulation and experimental study on the effect of wind on grounding wire corona discharge process under thundercloud electric field

Many experiments simulate the corona phenomenon on the surface of single grounding wire of transmission line in an ideal environment, without considering the influence of environmental factors such as wind. In this paper, the finite element method is used to consider the motion process of small positive ions, large aerosol ions and aerosol neutral particles. Based on the simulation results, the shielding effect between two grounding wires can be seen by comparison. Considering the wind speed from 0 m/s to 5 m/s, the grounding wire corona discharge experiment was carried out. The simulation and experimental results show that with the increase of wind speed, the corona discharge degree on the surface of the grounding wire increases, the positive ion concentration generated by the corona increases, and the corona current increases. The positive ion offset increases, the shielding effect on the grounding wire weakens, and the electric field intensity above the grounding wire increases, which increases the probability of the corona to flow beam transition. With the increase of wind direction angle, the positive ion density on the grounding wire surface increases, which weakens the spatial electric field intensity and is not conducive to the development of upward leader.

Experimental investigation on streamer inception from artificial hydrometeors

In this study we use an experimental investigation to shed light on the lightning inception problem. From atmospheric observations, it is known that the electric fields in thunderclouds are significantly lower than required for electric breakdown in air. One theory to explain lightning inception is that hydrometeors, i.e. any liquid or solid water particles formed in the atmosphere, greatly enhance the local electric field and can thereby initiate an electron avalanche leading to a streamer discharge. In this study, we investigate streamer initiation in the presence of artificial particles with different shapes. A metal or dielectric (TiO2) particle is suspended between a high-voltage and a grounded planar electrode which are separated by 16 cm in 50 mbar air. The particles are shaped as ellipsoids with a length of 8, 4, 2, and 1 cm and with different aspect ratios. A negative high voltage pulse is applied with a rise time of 30 ns, a pulse width of 1–10 μs, a repetition rate of 1 Hz, and a maximum voltage between 1 and 50 kV. Results show that the required background electric field for breakdown in the presence of a dielectric particle is decreased to 0.4 times the air breakdown field. Moreover, we observed bipolar streamer development from the particles where negative streamers are thicker and slightly slower than positive streamers. Finally, we found that streamers from longer particles are thicker and faster.

Hot plasma channel network formation in thunderclouds

The main intrigue of lightning initiation is that electric fields measured in thunderclouds have peak values about an order of magnitude lower than the dielectric strength of air and do not even exceed the minimum field needed for positive streamers propagation. It was recently established that pronounced decimeter-scale electric field fluctuations appear against the background of a relatively weak thundercloud large-scale electric field owing to turbulent mixing and polarization of hydrometeors. In the course of thundercloud development these field enhancements reach a level sufficient for initiation of positive streamers and their propagation over the distances of the order of decimeters. Streamers initiate, develop, decay, and merge with each other, thereby providing the appearance of an extensive hierarchical system of interacting plasma channels at different stages of development with embedded and growing hot segments. In this study the renormalization group approach is employed to calculate the value of thundercloud electric field that provides hot plasma channel network explosive formation. The calculated threshold field is considerably less than the minimum field required for positive streamers propagation and may be viewed as the true lightning initiation field.

A Model for Positive Corona Inception From Charged Ellipsoidal Thundercloud Hydrometeors

AbstractLightning is observed to incept in thundercloud electric fields below the threshold value Ek for discharge initiation. To explain this, the local enhancement of the electric field by hydrometeors is considered. The conditions for the onset of positive corona discharges are studied in air for ellipsoidal geometries. A hydrometeor is simulated as an individual charged conductor in zero ambient field; there is only a field generated by the charge on the hydrometeor surface. By doing so, the feasibility of corona inception from ellipsoidal hydrometeors can be formulated based on the self‐sustaining condition of electron avalanches. For hydrometeor dimensions of a few millimeters and typical thundercloud pressure, values above 2.4 Ek are found for the onset electric field at the tip of the ellipsoid. From simulations the required ambient electric field for corona onset from an uncharged hydrometeor can then be derived. This results in values between 0.07 Ek and 0.8 Ek for semiaxes aspect ratios between 0.01 and 1. The charge required on the hydrometeor surface for corona onset for typical pressures is minimum for semiaxes aspect ratios increasing from 0.12 to 0.22 for decreasing hydrometeor volume from 42 to 4.2 mm3. For representative simulated hydrometeors, onset charges are between 495 and 2,430 pC. For a hydrometeor volume of 4.2 mm3 results are comparable to measured precipitation charges for aspect ratios between 0.16 and 0.32. From the results it is concluded that corona onset from ellipsoidal hydrometeors of a realistic volume can be achieved in thundercloud conditions for certain aspect ratios.

Atmospheric Electron Spatial Range Extended by Thundercloud Electric Field Below the Relativistic Runaway Electron Avalanche Threshold

AbstractCosmic‐ray shower, hitting the atmosphere all the time, includes high‐energy electrons. Electric fields in thunderstorms accelerate these electrons so that they can reach farther distances with producing secondary electrons. The strong field above 0.284 MV m−1 causes the Relativistic Runaway Electron Avalanches (RREA) process with an exponential increase of electrons. Even with lower electric fields below this RREA threshold which are usually measured in thunderstorms, an increase in electrons' kinetic energy and production of secondary electrons can occur without avalanche processes, known as Modification Of Spectra (MOS) of the cosmic‐ray shower. Both phenomena are related to observed gamma ray glow, which is bremsstrahlung emission from accelerated electrons in thunderstorms. We calculate an extended range and kinetic energy of electrons below the RREA threshold using an analytical evaluation and Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations. For example, at 0.280 MV m−1 slightly below the RREA threshold, 3 MeV electrons gain 100% of their original kinetic energy through the passage of the continuous slowing down approximation (CSDA) range defined at the null electric field, which is consistent with results in previous studies as the transition to the RREA process. Even at a lower field of 0.260 MV m−1, the energy recovery by the field allows an injected 20 MeV electron beam to extend its average electron range from 73 m, in the null field configuration, to 562 m. We have performed analytical calculation and Geant4 simulations of atmospheric electron behavior for initial electron energy of 0.1–100 MeV and an electric field below 0.290 MV m−1.

Determine three-layer atmospheric electric fields using MGMR3D

Introduction: Measuring atmospheric electric fields is a difficult task because of the volatility of thunderstorms and the lack of control over direct measurement methods such as balloons. MGMR3D is a semi-analytic code that can be used to determine the structures of atmospheric electric fields during thunderstorm conditions indirectly. However, it is required to check whether the MGMR3D results have a good agreement with those provided by the microscopic model, CoREAS, in three-layer electric field cases. Methods: Using MGMR3D and CoREAS, we compared the intensity and linear and circular polarizations of radio emissions due to extensive air showers given by the two codes. Results: This work shows that a good agreement was obtained for air showers passing through more complicated electric field structures. Conclusion: This means that one can use MGMR3D to extract details on the structures of the atmospheric electric fields in thunderclouds.

Relativistic runaway electron avalanche

Discussed are the genesis of the concept of the relativistic runaway electron avalanche (RREA) and its mechanism as an analog of the Townsend’s avalanche, but capable of developing, unlike the latter, in weak thundercloud electric fields. Thanks to this, it was possible to overcome difficulties while interpreting results of observations of penetrating emission enhancements in thunderstorm atmospheres. The main inelastic interactions of high-energy electrons with atomic particles participating in the avalanche development are described; in terms of the drag forces, the essence of the runaway process is discussed; and methods of RREA numerical simulation are described. In approximate historical sequence, results of calculations of the spatial and temporal scales of the avalanche enhancement are analyzed and contemporary data on avalanche macroscopic characteristics are given, which is required for numerical simulations of the runaway electrons in the fluid approximation. As an extension to the relativistic range of the mechanism of the classical cathode-directed streamer, relativistic positive feedback is discussed, by means of which a generation of the RREA series, as a self-sustained process, is supported. Laboratory experiments on RREA modeling are described, in one of which the initial stage of the avalanche was produced. The historical background of the issue is often more interesting than the results obtained. I P Pavlov (1849–1936), 1904 Nobel Prize winner in Physiology and Medicine

Determining Electric Fields in Thunderclouds With the Radiotelescope LOFAR.

An analysis is presented of electric fields in thunderclouds using a recently proposed method based on measuring radio emission from extensive air shower events during thunderstorm conditions. This method can be regarded as a tomography of thunderclouds using cosmic rays as probes. The data cover the period from December 2011 till August 2014. We have developed an improved fitting procedure to be able to analyze the data. Our measurements show evidence for the main negative‐charge layer near the −10° isotherm. This we have seen for a winter as well as for a summer cloud where multiple events pass through the same cloud and also the vertical component of the electric field could be reconstructed. On the day of measurement of some cosmic‐ray events showing evidence for strong fields, no lightning activity was detected within 100 km distance. For the winter events, the top heights were between 5 and 6 km, while in the summer, typical top heights of 9 km were seen. Large horizontal components in excess of 70 kV/m of the electric fields are observed in the middle and top layers.

2D computer model of a non-stationary corona from an infinite grating composed of parallel grounded wires in a thundercloud electric field

2D computer model of a non-stationary corona from an infinite grating composed of parallel grounded wires in a thundercloud electric field

Mechanism of Orientation and Parameters of Lightning in Context of Lightning Protection

Details of the process of lightning formation and orientation of the downward leader required to solve applied problems in the field of lightning protection are considered. It is shown that it is necessary to take into account the mechanism of the bipolar leader formation in the thundercloud electric field, according to which the thunderstorm cell cannot be regarded as a conducting charged electrode, the potential carried by the downward leader channel is determined by the start point and path of the lightning, and the effect of the thunderstorm cell charge reveals itself to a much less degree. An algorithm is proposed for calculating the orientation height, charge per unit channel length, and attraction radius of lightning from the value of the return stroke current. It is stated that lightning current measurements currently used at tall structures cannot serve as a basis to estimate the frequency of dangerous lightning strikes to structures of ordinary height. A scheme of the field research of lightning is proposed that allows the required statistics of lightning currents to be accumulated for a foreseeable time period at admissible material costs. The need to study the mechanism of the competing development of counter discharges from ground-based electrodes is proven, and the relevant technique is offered.

A simulation study on the electric field spectral dependence of thunderstorm ground enhancements and gamma ray glows

AbstractWe have done a thorough simulation analysis on the variability of the photon spectra produced with (due to Relativistic Runaway Electron Avalanche—RREA) and without (Modification of Spectra) the avalanche multiplication process. Despite some measurements obviously showing a variability of the spectra, numerous theoretical studies consider RREA spectrum independent on the electric field. However, analytical calculations by Cramer et al. (2014) have shown that RREA spectrum under low electric fields is not constant and stops being exponential. Using the Relativistic Electron Avalanche Model code, we model various layouts of the electric field configuration and study the predicted photon spectra. The primary focus of the present paper is to study the photon energy spectra, as gamma rays are more often observed by ground‐based detectors. The simulation analysis of photon spectra potentially can help to deduce electric fields in thunderclouds.

Thunderstorm electric fields probed by extensive air showers through their polarized radio emission

We observe a large fraction of circular polarization in radio emission from extensive air showers recorded during thunderstorms, much higher than in the emission from air showers measured during fair-weather circumstances. We show that the circular polarization of the air showers measured during thunderstorms can be explained by the change in the direction of the transverse current as a function of altitude induced by atmospheric electric fields. Thus by using the full set of Stokes parameters for these events, we obtain a good characterization of the electric fields in thunderclouds. We also measure a large horizontal component of the electric fields in the two events that we have analysed.

Circular polarization of radio emission from air showers in thunderstorm conditions

We present measured radio emission from cosmic-ray-induced air showers under thunderstorm conditions. We observe for these events large differences in intensity, linear polarization and circular polarization from the events measured under fair-weather conditions. This can be explained by the effects of atmospheric electric fields in thunderclouds. Therefore, measuring the intensity and polarization of radio emission from cosmic ray extensive air showers during thunderstorm conditions provides a new tool to probe the atmospheric electric fields present in thunderclouds.

Influence of atmospheric electric fields on the radio emission from extensive air showers

The atmospheric electric fields in thunderclouds have been shown to significantly modify the intensity and polarization patterns of the radio footprint of cosmic-ray-induced extensive air showers. Simulations indicated a very non-linear dependence of the signal strength in the frequency window of 30-80 MHz on the magnitude of the atmospheric electric field. In this work we present an explanation of this dependence based on Monte-Carlo simulations, supported by arguments based on electron dynamics in air showers and expressed in terms of a simplified model. We show that by extending the frequency window to lower frequencies additional sensitivity to the atmospheric electric field is obtained.

Streamer formation and branching from model hydrometeors in subbreakdown conditions inside thunderclouds

AbstractElectric field values measured inside thunderclouds have consistently been reported to be up to an order of magnitude lower than the value required for the conventional electrical breakdown of air. This result has made it difficult to explain how lightning frequently occurs in thunderclouds. A few different theories have been offered to explain the lightning initiation process, one of them being the theory of lightning initiation from hydrometeors. According to this theory, lightning can be initiated from electrical discharges originating around thundercloud water or ice particles in the measured thundercloud electric field. These particles, called hydrometeors, are believed to cause significant enhancement of the thundercloud electric field in their vicinity and then initiate streamers that are the precursor discharges for the hot lightning leader channel. Previously, Liu et al. (2012a) reported streamer formation from a model hydrometeor in an electric field value of half of the conventional breakdown threshold (Ek) for air. In this paper, we present modeling results for streamer formation in electric fields as low as one third of the breakdown threshold. According to our results, initiation of stable streamers from thundercloud hydrometeors in a 0.3Ek electric field is possible, only if enhanced ambient ionization levels (e.g., the ionization created by corona discharges around the same or other nearby hydrometeors) are present ahead of the streamer. The magnitude and distribution of this ambient density may be a determining factor on whether the streamer branches, recovers after the prebranching stage, or continues propagating stably. We investigate the streamer branching behavior and characteristics and test a theory that has recently been proposed to explain this phenomenon. We find that the geometry of the streamer head plays an important role in the streamer branching phenomena. The fast radial movement of the maximum streamer head curvature, combined with the slow reduction of the maximum curvature value, eventually leads the streamer head to branching. Finally, we compare our modeling results with laboratory experiments and realistic thundercloud conditions and discuss the implications of this study to lightning initiation and other lightning‐related phenomena.