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Method for Recording Broadband High Resolution Emission Spectra of Laboratory Lightning Arcs
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Photonuclear reactions triggered by lightning discharge.

Teruaki Enoto1, Yuuki Wada2,3, Yoshihiro Furuta2

  • 1The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research and Department of Astronomy, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8302, Japan.

Nature
|November 24, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Scientists observed neutrons and positrons following lightning, confirming atmospheric photonuclear reactions. This study provides conclusive evidence of positron production after lightning events.

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Area of Science:

  • Atmospheric physics
  • Nuclear astrophysics
  • High-energy physics

Background:

  • Thunderclouds act as natural particle accelerators, producing high-energy gamma rays.
  • These gamma rays can trigger photonuclear reactions, potentially creating neutrons and positrons.
  • Previous observations suggested but did not conclusively prove these reactions occur after lightning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide conclusive evidence of neutron and positron production following lightning strikes.
  • To investigate the atmospheric photonuclear reactions initiated by lightning-generated gamma rays.

Main Methods:

  • Ground-based monitoring of gamma-ray flashes during a thunderstorm.
  • Analysis of subsequent gamma-ray afterglow and line emission spectra.
  • Detection of neutron and positron signals correlated with lightning events.

Main Results:

  • A millisecond-duration gamma-ray flash was detected, followed by a decaying afterglow.
  • Prolonged line emission at 0.511 megaelectronvolts, indicative of electron-positron annihilation, was observed.
  • The observed signals align with predictions of neutron capture and positron production via photonuclear reactions.

Conclusions:

  • Conclusive evidence of positron production after lightning has been established.
  • The findings confirm that lightning can initiate atmospheric photonuclear reactions.
  • This research deepens our understanding of extreme atmospheric electrical phenomena.