Strong Flux of Low-Energy Neutrons Produced by Thunderstorms
Abstract
We report here for the first time about the registration of an extraordinary high flux of low-energy neutrons generated during thunderstorms. The measured neutron count rate enhancements are directly connected with thunderstorm discharges. The low-energy neutron flux value obtained in our work is a challenge for the photonuclear channel of neutron generation in thunderstorm: the estimated value of the needed high-energy γ-ray flux is about 3 orders of magnitude higher than that one observed.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- March 2012
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2012PhRvL.108l5001G
- Keywords:
-
- 52.80.Mg;
- 28.20.Gd;
- 92.60.Pw;
- Arcs;
- sparks;
- lightning;
- atmospheric electricity;
- Neutron transport: diffusion and moderation;
- Atmospheric electricity lightning