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"Eletromagnetic model of  a lightning dart leader in the earth atmosphere"

A.V.Gordeev (Russian Research Center  “Kurchatov Institute”)
T.V. Losseva (Institute of Geospheres Dynamics RAS)  

Abstract:

The fundamentally new approach to the lightning dart leader structure investigation is suggested, which is connected with the charge separation and the appearance of the Hall potential in the current-channel magnetic field of the lightning dart leader [1, 2]. Generation of the strong radial electric field provides both the relativistic electron drift along the lightning channel and the breakdown in the Earth atmosphere at the front of the propagating filament. The magnetic selfinsulation in the current channel ensures the propagation of the current filament with the relativistic electrons up to the Earth surface [3]. After this stage the reflected magnetic selfinsulation wave realizes the return stroke stage of the lightning that is accompanied by the strong gas heating in the lightning channel. The current data in the lightning dart leader channel (4-11 kA) and the range of the X-ray emission from the lightning channel (30-250 keV), which are obtained in in-situ observations [4], are in reasonably good agreement with the estimates, made in the frame of this model. Profiles of magnetic field Bq, electron concentration ne, electron velocity vez and radial electric field Er in current channel for the current value 11kA are presented in figure.

References:

  1. A.V.Gordeev, T.V. Losseva. Plasma Physics Reports, 2003, v. 29, No 9, pp. 748-756.

  2. A.V.Gordeev, T.V. Losseva. Plasma Physics Reports, 2005, v. 31, No 1, pp. 26-45.

  3. L.I. Rudakov, M.V. Babykin, A.V. Gordeev et al., in: The Generation and Focusing of the High-Current Relativistic Electron Beams. Ed. L.I. Rudakov (Energoatomizdat, Moscow, 1990), pp. 81-122.

  4. J.R.Dwyer et al. Geophys. Res. Lett., 2004, v. 31. L05118, L05119, L12102.