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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Method for Recording Broadband High Resolution Emission Spectra of Laboratory Lightning Arcs
Published on: August 27, 2019
[The spectral properties of an intense lightning return stroke]
Ping Yuan1, Xiu-shu Qie, Shi-hua Lü
1College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China.
Abstract:
The spectrum in the range of 400-600 nm from the first return stroke of an intense cloud-to-ground lightning flash was obtained by a slit-free spectrograph. Applying the atomic structure theory to the research work on lightning spectra, the wavelengths, oscillator strengths and excitation energies of upper levels were calculated for the transitions of related lightning spectrum. Multi-configuration Dirac-Fock method was employed in the calculation. From the results, re-identifications were carried out for the lines of 419.0 and 425.3 nm. It was found by spectral analysis combined with corresponding electrical information finds that the spectrum characteristic is closely related to the intensity of lightning discharge, as during an intense lightning return stroke the lines of O II with high excitation energies are enhanced.
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