The mechanism of lightning attraction and the problem of lightning initiation by lasers

E.M. Bazelyan^a, Yu.P. Raizer^b
^aG.M. Krzhizhanovskii Power Engineering Institute, Leninskii prosp. 19, Moscow, 117927, Russian Federation
^bInstitute for Problems in Mechanics, Russian Academy of Sciences, prosp. Vernadskogo 101/1, Moscow, 117526, Russian Federation

Physical processes determining the ability of lightning to change its trajectory by choosing high constructions to strike are discussed. The leader mechanism of lightning propagation is explained. The criterion for a viable ascending (upward) leader to originate from a construction is established. The mechanism of the weak long-distance interaction between the ascending counter leader originating from a grounded construction and the descending (downward) leader from a cloud is analyzed. Current problems concerning lightning protection and lightning triggering by a laser spark are discussed, the latter being of special interest owing to a recent successful experiment along this line.

PACS: 52.80.−s, 52.80.Mg, 51.50.+v, 52.90.+z (all)
DOI: 10.1070/PU2000v043n07ABEH000768
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2000/7/d/
Web of Science

000165062700004
Citation: Bazelyan E M, Raizer Yu P "The mechanism of lightning attraction and the problem of lightning initiation by lasers" Phys. Usp. 43 701–716 (2000)

BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks

Оригинал: Базелян Э М, Райзер Ю П «Механизм притяжения молнии и проблема лазерного управления молнией» УФН 170 753–769 (2000); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0170.200007d.0753

References (42) Cited by (57) Similar articles (18) ↓

V.N. Tsytovich “Dust plasma crystals, drops, and clouds” Phys. Usp. 40 53–94 (1997)
A.P. Nefedov, O.F. Petrov, V.E. Fortov “Quasicrystalline structures in strongly coupled dusty plasma” Phys. Usp. 40 1163–1173 (1997)
A.V. Nedospasov “Physics of near-wall plasma in tokamaks” Sov. Phys. Usp. 30 620–627 (1987)
V.L. Ginzburg “What problems of physics and astrophysics seem now to be especially important and interesting (thirty years later, already on the verge of XXI century)?” Phys. Usp. 42 353–373 (1999)
V.E. Fortov, Yu.N. Gnedin et al “Collision of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter: what did we see” Phys. Usp. 39 363–392 (1996)
B.A. Klumov, V.I. Kondaurov et al “Collision of comet Shoemaker-Levi 9 with Jupiter: what shall we see?” Phys. Usp. 37 577–588 (1994)
Yu.P. Raizer “Optical discharges” Sov. Phys. Usp. 23 789–806 (1980)
V.N. Tsytovich, J. Winter “On the role of dust in fusion devices” Phys. Usp. 41 815–822 (1998)
L.B. Okun “The fundamental constants of physics” Sov. Phys. Usp. 34 (9) 818–826 (1991)
V.I. Dokuchaev, Yu.N. Eroshenko “Physical laboratory at the center of the Galaxy” Phys. Usp. 58 772–784 (2015)
Yu.V. Gulyaev, V.B. Sandomirskii et al “Physical limitations on miniaturization in microelectronics” Sov. Phys. Usp. 27 868–880 (1984)
A.N. Vasil’ev, F.M. Maallavi, M.I. Kaganov “Thermoelastic stresses as a mechanism of electromagnetic-acoustic transformation” Phys. Usp. 36 (10) 968–979 (1993)
S.G. Karshenboim “Progress in the accuracy of the fundamental physical constants: 2010 CODATA recommended values” Phys. Usp. 56 883–909 (2013)
L.M. Lyamshev “Lasers in acoustics” Sov. Phys. Usp. 30 252–279 (1987)
V.S. Vavilov “Some physical aspects of ion implantation” Sov. Phys. Usp. 28 196–206 (1985)
V.I. Balykin, V.S. Letokhov, V.G. Minogin “Cooling atoms by means of laser radiation pressure” Sov. Phys. Usp. 28 803–826 (1985)
V.V. Aristov, S.A. Zabelok, A.A. Frolova “Nonclassical transport in nonequilibrium rarefied gas flows” Phys. Usp. 68 261–277 (2025)
V.N. Tsytovich “Development of the concepts of plasma turbulence” Sov. Phys. Usp. 15 632–650 (1973)

The list is formed automatically.