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Updated: May 2, 2026
07:51
Method for Recording Broadband High Resolution Emission Spectra of Laboratory Lightning Arcs
Published on: August 27, 2019
8.6K
[Study on the conductivity properties of lightning channel by spectroscopy]
Xue-Juan Wang1, Ping Yuan2, Jian-Yong Cen2
1Key Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Physics & Functional Materials of Gansu Province, College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China. wangxuejuan6@163.com
Guang Pu Xue Yu Guang Pu Fen Xi = Guang Pu
|March 12, 2014
Summary
Electrical conductivity in lightning channels was calculated using plasma transport theory and spectral data. Results indicate conductivity decreases with height and depends on various particle collisions, with collision integrals being a suitable calculation method.
Area of Science:
- Plasma physics
- Atmospheric electricity
- Spectroscopy
Context:
- Cloud-to-ground lightning discharges are complex atmospheric phenomena.
- Understanding lightning channel properties is crucial for electrical safety and atmospheric modeling.
- Previous studies have estimated lightning channel characteristics with varying methodologies.
Purpose:
- To calculate the electrical conductivity of a lightning channel core.
- To investigate the influence of channel height and particle collisions on conductivity.
- To estimate discharge current and explore correlations between channel temperature and discharge characteristics.
Summary:
- Electrical conductivity of the lightning channel core was determined to be approximately 10(4) S m-1.
- Conductivity decreases with increasing channel height.
- Electron-atom collisions, electron-electron, and ion-ion collisions significantly contribute to conductivity; the collision integrals method is deemed most appropriate.
Impact:
- Provides a more accurate estimation of lightning discharge current.
- Establishes a practical method for correlating lightning channel temperature with discharge properties.
- Enhances understanding of fundamental lightning physics and its electrical characteristics.
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