Ion runaway in lightning discharges

Area of Science:

• Plasma physics
• Atmospheric electricity
• Nuclear fusion

Background:

• Large electric fields in plasmas can accelerate ions.
• Imbalances between electrons and ions lead to low mean ionic charge, enhancing acceleration.
• Lightning is a natural phenomenon involving powerful electrical discharges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To derive an expression for the high-energy tail of the ion distribution function in lightning.
• To investigate the maximum energy attainable by runaway ions in lightning.
• To estimate energetic particle and radiation production from fusion reactions.

Main Methods:

• Derivation of an analytical expression for ion energy distribution.
• Modeling of ion acceleration in strong electric fields.
• Estimation of fusion reaction rates.

Main Results:

• An expression for the high-energy tail of the ion distribution function was derived.
• The study provides an estimate for the maximum energy runaway ions can reach in lightning.
• Calculations indicate potential for energetic proton and neutron production via fusion.

Conclusions:

• Runaway ions in lightning can achieve significant energies.
• Fusion reactions involving these energetic ions can produce protons and neutrons.
• This research contributes to understanding high-energy phenomena in atmospheric discharges.