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)

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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

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