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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
06:16
Femtosecond Laser Filaments for Use in Sub-Diffraction-Limited Imaging and Remote Sensing
Published on: April 25, 2019
Electric events synchronized with laser filaments in thunderclouds
Jérôme Kasparian1, Roland Ackermann, Yves-Bernard André
1Teramobile, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, LASIM UMR 5579, bât. A. Kastler, 43 Bd du 11 novembre 1918, F-69622 Villeurbanne Cedex, France. jerome.kasparian@physics.unige.ch
Optics Express
|June 11, 2008
Summary
Researchers explored triggering lightning with ultrashort laser pulses. During thunderstorms, laser-induced ionized filaments synchronized with significant electrical events, suggesting triggered corona discharges.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric physics
- Plasma physics
- Laser science
Background:
- Lightning is a powerful natural phenomenon.
- Controlling lightning remains a significant scientific challenge.
- Ultrashort laser pulses can create ionized filaments in air.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of laser-induced ionized filaments for triggering lightning.
- To determine if laser filaments can initiate electrical discharges in atmospheric conditions.
Main Methods:
- Generating ultrashort laser pulses to create ionized filaments in the atmosphere.
- Conducting experiments during thunderstorms with high electric fields.
- Observing and synchronizing electrical events with laser pulses at filament locations.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant number of electrical events were observed.
- These events were synchronized with the laser pulses.
- The synchronized events occurred at the location of the ionized filaments.
Conclusions:
- The results suggest that laser-induced filaments can trigger corona discharges.
- This provides a potential method for lightning control.
- Further research is needed to fully understand and harness this phenomenon.
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