1
|
Radiography using cosmic-ray electromagnetic showers and its application in hydrology. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20395. [DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24765-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractIn-situ measurements of soil water content provide important constraints on local/global hydrology. We demonstrate that the attenuation of the underground flux of cosmic-ray electromagnetic (EM) particles can be used to monitor the variation of soil water content after rainfalls. We developed a detection system that preferably selects EM particles by considering the coincidence of distant plastic scintillators. The calibration test beneath the water pool revealed that the count rate decreased by 0.6–0.7% with a 1 cm increase in the water level. The field measurement performed in the horizontal tunnel showed that the count rate dropped according to 48-h precipitation, after correcting the effects originating from atmospheric and water vapour pressures. These characteristics were confirmed using dedicated Monte Carlo simulations. This new method is called cosmic electromagnetic particle (CEMP) radiography.
Collapse
|
2
|
A Study on TGF Detectability at 2165 m Altitude: Estimates for the Mountain-Based Gamma-Flash Experiment. REMOTE SENSING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rs14133103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Gamma-Flash is an Italian program devoted to the realization of both a ground-based and an airborne gamma-ray and neutron detection system, for in situ measurements of high-energy phenomena correlated to thunderstorm activity, such as Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs), gamma-ray glows, and associated neutron emissions. The ground-based Gamma-Flash experiment is currently under installation at the Osservatorio Climatico “Ottavio Vittori” (CNR-ISAC) on Mt. Cimone, in Northern-Central Italy (2165 m a.s.l.), and it will be operational starting in Summer 2022. We studied the detectability of TGFs in the surroundings of the ground-based Gamma-Flash experiment, to identify an investigable spatial region around the detectors from which typical TGFs can survive and be revealed onground. We carried out numerical simulations of gamma-ray propagation in the mid-latitude atmosphere, and we developed a qualitative analytical model to integrate the results. This analysis allows one to identify a spatial region extending up to 4 km distance on ground and up to 10 km altitude a.s.l., considering typical TGFs emitting ∼1018 gamma-ray photons at the source. Lightning sferics data acquired by the LINET network demonstrate that such a region is interested by frequent cloud-to-ground and intra-cloud lightning, pointing out the suitability of the location for the purposes of the Gamma-Flash program.
Collapse
|
3
|
|
4
|
Sawant A, Kwak D, Lee I, Chung M, Choi E. Stand-off radiation detection techniques. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2020; 91:071501. [PMID: 32752856 DOI: 10.1063/1.5134088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Remote detection of radioactive materials is extremely challenging, yet it is important to realize the technique for safe usage of radioactive materials. Gamma rays are the most far distant penetrating photons that are involved with the radiation decay process. Herein, we overview the gamma-ray detection techniques that are material-based and vacuum tube-based. A muon detector is also reviewed as a radioactive material imager. We overview versatile detectors that are currently being widely used and new concepts that may pave the way for promising remote detectability up to several kilometers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashwini Sawant
- Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Donghyun Kwak
- Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Ingeun Lee
- Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Moses Chung
- Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - EunMi Choi
- Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wada Y, Enoto T, Nakazawa K, Furuta Y, Yuasa T, Nakamura Y, Morimoto T, Matsumoto T, Makishima K, Tsuchiya H. Downward Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flash Observed in a Winter Thunderstorm. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2019; 123:061103. [PMID: 31491171 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.123.061103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
During a winter thunderstorm on 24 November 2017, a strong burst of gamma rays with energies up to ∼10 MeV was detected coincident with a lightning discharge, by scintillation detectors installed at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station at sea level in Japan. The burst had a subsecond duration, which is suggestive of photoneutron production. The leading part of the burst was resolved into four intense gamma-ray bunches, each coincident with a low-frequency radio pulse. These bunches were separated by 0.7-1.5 ms, with a duration of ≪1 ms each. Thus, the present burst may be considered as a "downward" terrestrial gamma-ray flash (TGF), which is analogous to upgoing TGFs observed from space. Although the scintillation detectors were heavily saturated by these bunches, the total dose associated with them was successfully measured by ionization chambers, employed by nine monitoring posts surrounding the power plant. From this information and Monte Carlo simulations, the present downward TGF is suggested to have taken place at an altitude of 2500±500 m, involving 8_{-4}^{+8}×10^{18} avalanche electrons with energies above 1 MeV. This number is comparable to those in upgoing TGFs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Wada
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- High Energy Astrophysics Laboratory, Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - T Enoto
- High Energy Astrophysics Laboratory, Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research and Department of Astronomy, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - K Nakazawa
- Kobayashi-Maskawa Institute for the Origin of Particles and the Universe, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Y Furuta
- Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan
| | - T Yuasa
- Block 4B, Boon Tiong Road, Singapore 165004, Singapore
| | - Y Nakamura
- Kobe City College of Technology, 8-3 Gakuen-Higashimachi, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 651-2194, Japan
| | - T Morimoto
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - T Matsumoto
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - K Makishima
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- High Energy Astrophysics Laboratory, Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8683, Japan
| | - H Tsuchiya
- Nuclear Science and Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kochkin P, Sarria D, Skeie C, van Deursen APJ, de Boer AI, Bardet M, Allasia C, Flourens F, Østgaard N. In-Flight Observation of Positron Annihilation by ILDAS. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. ATMOSPHERES : JGR 2018; 123:8074-8090. [PMID: 31032163 PMCID: PMC6473548 DOI: 10.1029/2018jd028337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We report a 511-keV photon flux enhancement that was observed inside a thundercloud and is a result of positron annihilation. The observation was made with the In-flight Lightning Damage Assessment System (ILDAS) on board of an A340 test aircraft. The aircraft was intentionally flying through a thunderstorm at 12-km altitude over Northern Australia in January 2016. Two gamma ray detectors showed a significant count rate increase synchronously with fast electromagnetic field variations registered by an on-board antenna. A sequence of 10 gamma ray enhancements was detected, each lasted for about 1 s. Their spectrum mainly consists of 511-keV photons and their Compton component. The local electric activity during the emission was identified as a series of static discharges of the aircraft. A full-scale Geant4 model of the aircraft was created to estimate the emission area. Monte Carlo simulation indicated that the positrons annihilated in direct vicinity or in the aircraft body.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - D. Sarria
- BCSSUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
| | - C. Skeie
- BCSSUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
| | - A. P. J. van Deursen
- Electrical Engineering DepartmentEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhovenNetherlands
| | - A. I. de Boer
- The Netherlands Aerospace CentreAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - M. Bardet
- The Netherlands Aerospace CentreAmsterdamNetherlands
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wolf JP. Short-pulse lasers for weather control. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2018; 81:026001. [PMID: 28783040 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/aa8488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Filamentation of ultra-short TW-class lasers recently opened new perspectives in atmospheric research. Laser filaments are self-sustained light structures of 0.1-1 mm in diameter, spanning over hundreds of meters in length, and producing a low density plasma (1015-1017 cm-3) along their path. They stem from the dynamic balance between Kerr self-focusing and defocusing by the self-generated plasma and/or non-linear polarization saturation. While non-linearly propagating in air, these filamentary structures produce a coherent supercontinuum (from 230 nm to 4 µm, for a 800 nm laser wavelength) by self-phase modulation (SPM), which can be used for remote 3D-monitoring of atmospheric components by Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging). However, due to their high intensity (1013-1014 W cm-2), they also modify the chemical composition of the air via photo-ionization and photo-dissociation of the molecules and aerosols present in the laser path. These unique properties were recently exploited for investigating the capability of modulating some key atmospheric processes, like lightning from thunderclouds, water vapor condensation, fog formation and dissipation, and light scattering (albedo) from high altitude clouds for radiative forcing management. Here we review recent spectacular advances in this context, achieved both in the laboratory and in the field, reveal their underlying mechanisms, and discuss the applicability of using these new non-linear photonic catalysts for real scale weather control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J P Wolf
- Department of Applied Physics (GAP), University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kochkin P, van Deursen APJ, Marisaldi M, Ursi A, de Boer AI, Bardet M, Allasia C, Boissin J, Flourens F, Østgaard N. In-Flight Observation of Gamma Ray Glows by ILDAS. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. ATMOSPHERES : JGR 2017; 122:12801-12811. [PMID: 29497588 PMCID: PMC5815387 DOI: 10.1002/2017jd027405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
An Airbus A340 aircraft flew over Northern Australia with the In-Flight Lightning Damage Assessment System (ILDAS) installed onboard. A long-duration gamma ray emission was detected. The most intense emission was observed at 12 km altitude and lasted for 20 s. Its intensity was 20 times the background counts, and it was abruptly terminated by a distant lightning flash. In this work we reconstruct the aircraft path and event timeline. The glow-terminating flash triggered a discharge from the aircraft wing that was recorded by a video camera operating onboard. Another count rate increase was observed 6 min later and lasted for 30 s. The lightning activity as reported by ground networks in this region was analyzed. The measured spectra characteristics of the emission were estimated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - A. P. J. van Deursen
- Electrical Engineering DepartmentEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhovenNetherlands
| | | | | | | | - M. Bardet
- Netherlands Aerospace CentreAmsterdamNetherlands
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Photonuclear reactions triggered by lightning discharge. Nature 2017; 551:481-484. [DOI: 10.1038/nature24630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
10
|
Chilingarian A, Chilingaryan S, Karapetyan T, Kozliner L, Khanikyants Y, Hovsepyan G, Pokhsraryan D, Soghomonyan S. On the initiation of lightning in thunderclouds. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1371. [PMID: 28465545 PMCID: PMC5430999 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01288-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship of lightning and elementary particle fluxes in the thunderclouds is not fully understood to date. Using the particle beams (the so-called Thunderstorm Ground Enhancements – TGEs) as a probe we investigate the characteristics of the interrelated atmospheric processes. The well-known effect of the TGE dynamics is the abrupt termination of the particle flux by the lightning flash. With new precise electronics, we can see that particle flux decline occurred simultaneously with the rearranging of the charge centers in the cloud. The analysis of the TGE energy spectra before and after the lightning demonstrates that the high-energy part of the TGE energy spectra disappeared just after lightning. The decline of particle flux coincides on millisecond time scale with first atmospheric discharges and we can conclude that Relativistic Runaway Electron Avalanches (RREA) in the thundercloud assist initiation of the negative cloud to ground lightning. Thus, RREA can provide enough ionization to play a significant role in the unleashing of the lightning flash.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashot Chilingarian
- Yerevan Physics Institute, 2 Alikhanyan Brothers, 0036, Yerevan, Armenia. .,National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), Moscow, 115409, Russian Federation.
| | - Suren Chilingaryan
- Yerevan Physics Institute, 2 Alikhanyan Brothers, 0036, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Tigran Karapetyan
- Yerevan Physics Institute, 2 Alikhanyan Brothers, 0036, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Lev Kozliner
- Yerevan Physics Institute, 2 Alikhanyan Brothers, 0036, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Yeghia Khanikyants
- Yerevan Physics Institute, 2 Alikhanyan Brothers, 0036, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Gagik Hovsepyan
- Yerevan Physics Institute, 2 Alikhanyan Brothers, 0036, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - David Pokhsraryan
- Yerevan Physics Institute, 2 Alikhanyan Brothers, 0036, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Suren Soghomonyan
- Yerevan Physics Institute, 2 Alikhanyan Brothers, 0036, Yerevan, Armenia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Umemoto D, Tsuchiya H, Enoto T, Yamada S, Yuasa T, Kawaharada M, Kitaguchi T, Nakazawa K, Kokubun M, Kato H, Okano M, Tamagawa T, Makishima K. On-ground detection of an electron-positron annihilation line from thunderclouds. Phys Rev E 2016; 93:021201. [PMID: 26986281 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.93.021201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Thunderclouds can produce bremsstrahlung gamma-ray emission, and sometimes even positrons. At 00:27:00 (UT) on 13 January 2012, an intense burst of gamma rays from a thundercloud was detected by the GROWTH experiment, located in Japan, facing the Sea of Japan. The event started with a sharp gamma-ray flash with a duration of <300 ms coincident with an intracloud discharge, followed by a decaying longer gamma-ray emission lasting for ∼60 s. The spectrum of this prolonged emission reached ∼10 MeV, and contained a distinct line emission at 508±3(stat.)±5(sys.) keV, to be identified with an electron-positron annihilation line. The line was narrow within the instrumental energy resolution (∼80keV), and contained 520±50 photons which amounted to ∼10% of the total signal photons of 5340±190 detected over 0.1-10 MeV. As a result, the line equivalent width reached 280±40 keV, which implies a nontrivial result. The result suggests that a downward positron beam produced both the continuum and the line photons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Umemoto
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - H Tsuchiya
- High Energy Astrophysics Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0193, Japan.,Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan
| | - T Enoto
- High Energy Astrophysics Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0193, Japan.,NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Astrophysics Science Division, Code 662, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, USA
| | - S Yamada
- Department of Physics, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-Osawa 1-1, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - T Yuasa
- High Energy Astrophysics Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0193, Japan
| | - M Kawaharada
- Department of Space Astronomy and Astrophysics, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, JAXA, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5210, Japan
| | - T Kitaguchi
- Department of Physical Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - K Nakazawa
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - M Kokubun
- Department of Space Astronomy and Astrophysics, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, JAXA, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5210, Japan
| | - H Kato
- High Energy Astrophysics Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0193, Japan
| | - M Okano
- High Energy Astrophysics Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0193, Japan
| | - T Tamagawa
- High Energy Astrophysics Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0193, Japan
| | - K Makishima
- Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.,MAXI Team, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0193, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Relativistic electron avalanches as a thunderstorm discharge competing with lightning. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7845. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
|
13
|
Tsuchiya H, Enoto T, Iwata K, Yamada S, Yuasa T, Kitaguchi T, Kawaharada M, Nakazawa K, Kokubun M, Kato H, Okano M, Tamagawa T, Makishima K. Hardening and termination of long-duration γ rays detected prior to lightning. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2013; 111:015001. [PMID: 23863005 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.111.015001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We report the first observation of 3-30 MeV prolonged gamma-ray emission that was abruptly terminated by lightning. The gamma-ray detection was made during winter thunderstorms on December 30, 2010, by the Gamma-Ray Observation of Winter Thunderclouds experiment carried out in a coastal area along the Sea of Japan. The gamma-ray flux lasted for less than 3 min, continuously hardening closer to the lightning occurrence. The hardening at energies of 3-10 MeV energies was most prominent. The gamma-ray flux abruptly ceased less than 800 ms before the lightning flash that occurred over 5 km away from the experimental site. In addition, we observed a clear difference in the duration of the 3-10 MeV gamma rays and those >10 MeV, suggesting that the area of >10 MeV gamma-ray emission is considerably smaller than that of the lower-energy gamma rays. This work may give a manifestation that a local region emitting prolonged gamma rays connects with a distant region to initiate lightning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Tsuchiya
- Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Babich LP, Bochkov EI, Dwyer JR, Kutsyk IM. Numerical simulations of local thundercloud field enhancements caused by runaway avalanches seeded by cosmic rays and their role in lightning initiation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1029/2012ja017799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
15
|
Gurevich AV, Mesyats GA, Zybin KP, Yalandin MI, Reutova AG, Shpak VG, Shunailov SA. Observation of the avalanche of runaway electrons in air in a strong electric field. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2012; 109:085002. [PMID: 23002751 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.109.085002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The generation of an avalanche of runaway electrons is demonstrated for the first time in a laboratory experiment. Two flows of runaway electrons are formed sequentially in an extended air discharge gap at the stage of delay of a pulsed breakdown. The first, picosecond, runaway electron flow is emitted in the cathode region where the field is enhanced. Being accelerated in the gap, this beam generates electrons due to impact ionization. These secondary electrons form a delayed avalanche of runaway electrons if the field is strong enough. The properties of the avalanche correspond to the existing notions about the runaway breakdown in air. The measured current of the avalanche exceeds up to an order the current of the initiating electron beam.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A V Gurevich
- P N Lebedev Physical Institute, RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Eto S, Zhidkov A, Oishi Y, Miki M, Fujii T. Quenching electron runaway in positive high-voltage-impulse discharges in air by laser filaments. OPTICS LETTERS 2012; 37:1130-1132. [PMID: 22446248 DOI: 10.1364/ol.37.001130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Strong hard (ε>100 keV) x rays being observed from impulse atmospheric discharges with maximal voltages from U=0.5 to 0.9 MV just before the breakdown were completely stopped with the use of femtosecond-laser-filament plasma. Runaway electrons generating such x rays and being estimated to achieve their maximal energy, ε~U, near the positive electrode disappear if a laser filament plasma is ignited perpendicularly to the runaway near the positive electrode. A preheating mechanism for formation of the electron runaway in air is proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Eto
- Electric Power Engineering Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Tavani M, Marisaldi M, Labanti C, Fuschino F, Argan A, Trois A, Giommi P, Colafrancesco S, Pittori C, Palma F, Trifoglio M, Gianotti F, Bulgarelli A, Vittorini V, Verrecchia F, Salotti L, Barbiellini G, Caraveo P, Cattaneo PW, Chen A, Contessi T, Costa E, D'Ammando F, Del Monte E, De Paris G, Di Cocco G, Di Persio G, Donnarumma I, Evangelista Y, Feroci M, Ferrari A, Galli M, Giuliani A, Giusti M, Lapshov I, Lazzarotto F, Lipari P, Longo F, Mereghetti S, Morelli E, Moretti E, Morselli A, Pacciani L, Pellizzoni A, Perotti F, Piano G, Picozza P, Pilia M, Pucella G, Prest M, Rapisarda M, Rappoldi A, Rossi E, Rubini A, Sabatini S, Scalise E, Soffitta P, Striani E, Vallazza E, Vercellone S, Zambra A, Zanello D. Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes as powerful particle accelerators. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2011; 106:018501. [PMID: 21231775 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.106.018501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Strong electric discharges associated with thunderstorms can produce terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs), i.e., intense bursts of x rays and γ rays lasting a few milliseconds or less. We present in this Letter new TGF timing and spectral data based on the observations of the Italian Space Agency AGILE satellite. We determine that the TGF emission above 10 MeV has a significant power-law spectral component reaching energies up to 100 MeV. These results challenge TGF theoretical models based on runaway electron acceleration. The TGF discharge electric field accelerates particles over the large distances for which maximal voltages of hundreds of megavolts can be established. The combination of huge potentials and large electric fields in TGFs can efficiently accelerate particles in large numbers, and we reconsider here the photon spectrum and the neutron production by photonuclear reactions in the atmosphere.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Tavani
- INAF-IASF Roma, via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Roma, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
|
19
|
Marisaldi M, Argan A, Trois A, Giuliani A, Tavani M, Labanti C, Fuschino F, Bulgarelli A, Longo F, Barbiellini G, Del Monte E, Moretti E, Trifoglio M, Costa E, Caraveo P, Cattaneo PW, Chen A, D'Ammando F, De Paris G, Di Cocco G, Di Persio G, Donnarumma I, Evangelista Y, Feroci M, Ferrari A, Fiorini M, Froysland T, Galli M, Gianotti F, Lapshov I, Lazzarotto F, Lipari P, Mereghetti S, Morselli A, Pacciani L, Pellizzoni A, Perotti F, Picozza P, Piano G, Pilia M, Prest M, Pucella G, Rapisarda M, Rappoldi A, Rubini A, Sabatini S, Soffitta P, Striani E, Vallazza E, Vercellone S, Vittorini V, Zambra A, Zanello D, Antonelli LA, Colafrancesco S, Cutini S, Giommi P, Lucarelli F, Pittori C, Santolamazza P, Verrecchia F, Salotti L. Gamma-ray localization of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2010; 105:128501. [PMID: 20867680 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.105.128501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) are very short bursts of high-energy photons and electrons originating in Earth's atmosphere. We present here a localization study of TGFs carried out at gamma-ray energies above 20 MeV based on an innovative event selection method. We use the AGILE satellite Silicon Tracker data that for the first time have been correlated with TGFs detected by the AGILE Mini-Calorimeter. We detect 8 TGFs with gamma-ray photons of energies above 20 MeV localized by the AGILE gamma-ray imager with an accuracy of ∼5-10° at 50 MeV. Remarkably, all TGF-associated gamma rays are compatible with a terrestrial production site closer to the subsatellite point than 400 km. Considering that our gamma rays reach the AGILE satellite at 540 km altitude with limited scattering or attenuation, our measurements provide the first precise direct localization of TGFs from space.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Marisaldi
- INAF-IASF Bologna, Via Gobetti 101, I-40129 Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Sasaki A, Kishimoto Y, Takahashi E, Kato S, Fujii T, Kanazawa S. Percolation simulation of laser-guided electrical discharges. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2010; 105:075004. [PMID: 20868054 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.105.075004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
A three-dimensional simulation of laser-guided discharges based on percolation is presented. The model includes both local growth of a streamer due to the enhanced electric field at the streamer's tip and propagation of a leader by remote ionization such as that caused by runaway electrons. The stochastic behavior of the discharge through a preformed plasma channel is reproduced by the calculation, which shows complex path with detouring and bifurcation. The probability of guiding is investigated with respect to the ionized, conductive fraction along the channel.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akira Sasaki
- Quantum Beam Science Directorate, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 8-1 Umemidai, Kizukawa-shi, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Smith DM, Hazelton BJ, Grefenstette BW, Dwyer JR, Holzworth RH, Lay EH. Terrestrial gamma ray flashes correlated to storm phase and tropopause height. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1029/2009ja014853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. M. Smith
- Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics and Physics Department; University of California; Santa Cruz California USA
| | - B. J. Hazelton
- Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics and Physics Department; University of California; Santa Cruz California USA
| | - B. W. Grefenstette
- Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics and Physics Department; University of California; Santa Cruz California USA
| | - J. R. Dwyer
- Department of Physics and Space Science; Florida Institute of Technology; Melbourne Florida USA
| | - R. H. Holzworth
- Department of Earth and Space Sciences; University of Washington; Seattle Washington USA
| | - E. H. Lay
- Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos New Mexico USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Chanrion O, Neubert T. Production of runaway electrons by negative streamer discharges. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1029/2009ja014774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- O. Chanrion
- National Space Institute; Danish Technical University; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - T. Neubert
- National Space Institute; Danish Technical University; Copenhagen Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Saleh Z, Dwyer J, Howard J, Uman M, Bakhtiari M, Concha D, Stapleton M, Hill D, Biagi C, Rassoul H. Properties of the X-ray emission from rocket-triggered lightning as measured by the Thunderstorm Energetic Radiation Array (TERA). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1029/2008jd011618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
24
|
Tsuchiya H, Enoto T, Torii T, Nakazawa K, Yuasa T, Torii S, Fukuyama T, Yamaguchi T, Kato H, Okano M, Takita M, Makishima K. Observation of an energetic radiation burst from mountain-top thunderclouds. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2009; 102:255003. [PMID: 19659086 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.255003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
During thunderstorms on 20 September 2008, a simultaneous detection of gamma rays and electrons was made at a mountain observatory in Japan located 2770 m above sea level. Both emissions, lasting 90 sec, were associated with thunderclouds rather than lightning. The photon spectrum, extending to 10 MeV, can be interpreted as consisting of bremsstrahlung gamma rays arriving from a source which is 60-130 m in distance at 90% confidence level. The observed electrons are likely to be dominated by a primary population escaping from an acceleration region in the clouds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Tsuchiya
- Cosmic Radiation Laboratory, Riken, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|