Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation From Streamer Collisions

DOI: 
10.1002/2017JD027157
Publication date: 
06/11/2017
Main author: 
Luque A.
IAA authors: 
Luque, A.
Authors: 
Luque A.
Journal: 
Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
122
Pages: 
10497-10509
Abstract: 
We present a full electromagnetic model of streamer propagation where the Maxwell equations are solved self-consistently together with electron transport and reactions including photoionization. We apply this model to the collision of counter-propagating streamers in gaps tens of centimeters wide and with large potential differences of hundreds of kilovolts. Our results show that streamer collisions emit electromagnetic pulses that, at atmospheric pressure, dominate the radio frequency spectrum of an extended corona in the range from about 100 MHz to a few gigahertz. We also investigate the fast penetration, after a collision, of electromagnetic fields into the streamer heads and show that these fields are capable of accelerating electrons up to about 100 keV. By substantiating the link between X-rays and high-frequency radio emissions and by describing a mechanism for the early acceleration of runaway electrons, our results support the hypothesis that streamer collisions are essential precursors of high-energy processes in electric discharges. ©2017. The Authors.
Database: 
SCOPUS
ADS
URL: 
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85031408273&doi=10.1002%2f2017JD027157&partnerID=40&md5=6f366448c24c0f31d8ea6c882e3cf663
ADS Bibcode: 
2017JGRD..12210497L
Keywords: 
FDTD; high-energy atmospheric physics; radio frequency; streamers