Transmission of electric fields due to distributed cloud charges in the atmosphere-ionosphere system
Abstract
The transmission of electric fields in the lower atmosphere by thunder clouds with a suitable charge distribution profile has been modeled. The electromagnetic responses of the atmosphere are presented through Maxwell's equations together with a time-varying source charge distribution. The conductivities are taken to be exponentially graded function of altitude. The radial and vertical electric field components are derived for isotropic, anisotropic and thundercloud regions. The analytical solutions for the total Maxwell's current which flows from the cloud into the ionosphere under DC and quasi-static conditions are obtained for isotropic region. We found that the effect of charge distribution in thunderclouds produced by lightning discharges diminishes rapidly with increasing altitudes. Also, it is found that time to reach Maxwell's currents a maximum is higher for higher altitudes.
- Publication:
-
Advances in Space Research
- Pub Date:
- October 2017
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.asr.2017.06.011
- Bibcode:
- 2017AdSpR..60.1891P
- Keywords:
-
- Charged cloud;
- Time-varying source charge distribution;
- Electric potential and field;
- Lower ionosphere