One-dimensional circuit model of lightning in thundercloud with tripole structure of electric field

Authors

Christian Joseph M. Payag ⋅ PH Department of Physics, Mapúa University, Philippines
Emmanuel F. Delos Reyes ⋅ PH Department of Physics, Mapúa University, Philippines
Rayda P. Gammag ⋅ PH Department of Physics, Mapúa University, Philippines
Jacque Lynn F. Gabayno ⋅ PH Department of Physics, Mapúa University, Philippines and Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Japan
Nobuhiko Sarukura ⋅ JP Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Japan
Akira Sasaki ⋅ JP Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University and Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Japan
Susumu Kato ⋅ JP National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the process of electrification and discharging using percolation by dividing an air column into discrete cells. We consider a one-dimensional circuit where each cell contains a resistor and a capacitor. The tripole structure of the electric field in a thundercloud was reproduced by the presence of current sources. Breakdown occurs within the circuit as the electric field within the cells increases past the critical dielectric strength of air. This was simulated by the resistors changing from an off-state to an on-state, allowing current to flow. Cells charge up to a sufficient electric field before initiating breakdown, and resulting to high current flow. As resistors breakdown from the three-pole points in the thundercloud, the direction reveals the path of the lightning discharge. Cloud-to-ground, upward, and split lightning events were observed along the air column. However, the cloud-to-ground propagation path was mostly reproduced by the tripole structure.

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Issue

2022: Proceedings of the 40th Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Conference

Article ID

SPP-2022-3C-05

Section

Complex Systems and Data Analytics

Published

2022-09-28

How to Cite

[1]

CJM Payag, EF Delos Reyes, RP Gammag, JLF Gabayno, N Sarukura, A Sasaki, and S Kato, One-dimensional circuit model of lightning in thundercloud with tripole structure of electric field, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 40, SPP-2022-3C-05 (2022). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2022-3C-05.