D region disturbances caused by electromagnetic pulses from lightning

Journal Article · Fri Oct 23 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/92GL02379· OSTI ID:5238729

Rodriguez, J V; Inan, U S; Bell, T F ^[1]

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1. Stanford Univ., CA (United States)

Electromagnetic pulses from weak lightning discharges (E[sub 100] = 1 V/m, where E[sub 100] is the field strength in the radiation pattern maximum at 100 km) may substantionally heat D region electrons, while only pulses with E[sub 100] [>=] 20 V/m may create electron density enhancements [>=]10% of ambient. A E[sub 100] = 20 V/m pulse from a horizontal radiator at 5 km altitude (e.g., the cloud discharge at the stepped-leader onset) increases the electron temperature by a factor of [approximately]400 maximum and the electron density (in one ionization cycle) by [approximately]230 cm[sup [minus]3] maximum; the widths at half-maximum of the heated and ionized regions are 200 km and 90 km. A E[sub 100] = 40 V/m pulse from a vertical radiator at 0 km altitude (e.g., the vertical return stroke channel) increases the electron temperature by a factor of [approximately]350 maximum and the electron density (in one ionization cycle) by [approximately]80 cm[sup [minus]3] maximum; the widths at half-maximum of the heated and ionized regions are 440 km and 260 km. Several ionization cycles should occur during a typical lightning pulse. 4 regs., 4 figs.

• OSTI ID: 5238729
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 19:20; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
D REGION
DISTURBANCES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HEATING
IONOSPHERE
LEPTONS
LIGHTNING
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PULSES
RADIATIONS