Open AccessTransient electric field at high altitudes due to lightning: Possible role of induction field in the formation of elves
Author(s) -
Lu Gaopeng
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2005jd005781
Subject(s) - electric field , lightning (connector) , effects of high altitude on humans , physics , radiation , transmission line , field line , meteorology , electric power transmission , lightning strike , perturbation (astronomy) , electromagnetic induction , atmospheric electricity , mechanics , radius , computational physics , thunderstorm , optics , electrical engineering , astronomy , magnetic field , power (physics) , computer science , engineering , computer security , quantum mechanics , electromagnetic coil
Space and time behaviors of electric field perturbation vector at high altitudes driven by lightning return stroke are examined in terms of its three individual components (i.e., electrostatic, induction, and radiation) with transmission line model, by specifying the current form in a return stroke channel, which is presumed to be vertically oriented. The result shows that at 90 km altitude, the induction E‐field dominates in a small region with a radius of ∼11 km (depending on the speed of return stroke) directly above the lightning region, with a magnitude comparable to radiation field and a relatively longer timescale. We conclude that in addition to the radiation field considered in previous theoretical modeling, the induction component in lightning E‐field is likely one new energy source for the creation of elves. This might be able to explain the observed pancake shape of some elves with a luminous central part, while the more complete modeling including the formation mechanism of elves is required.