Implications of lightning emissions for terrestrial gamma-ray flashes and associated lightning discharges

Conference Paper

Remote sensing of broadband (<1 Hz to 300 kHz) lightning signals related to terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) indicates that gamma-rays in TGFs are typically produced during a slow process that creates a considerable charge moment change within a few milliseconds. This slow process is usually punctuated by one or more fast discharges one of which is involved in gamma-ray production. The observed complexity of TGF-associated lightning emissions can be interpreted in the context of the initial development of normal intra-cloud lightning flashes, where the upward negative leader drives the millisecond-scale current and may also provide the seed electrons for avalanche multiplication in the upper part of active thunderstorms.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Lu, G; Cummer, SA

Published Date

  • December 3, 2014

Published In

  • 2014 International Conference on Lightning Protection, Iclp 2014

Start / End Page

  • 1496 - 1502

International Standard Book Number 13 (ISBN-13)

  • 9781479935444

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1109/ICLP.2014.6973365

Citation Source

  • Scopus