This article is cited in 2 papers

Brief Communications

Fractal-geometry simulation of a lightning discharge

V. K. Balkhanov, Yu. B. Bashkuev

Institute of Physical Materials Science, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Abstract: It is suggested that a wideband lightning discharge be approximated by a damped periodic oscillation. With such an approach, the oscillation frequency and relaxation time are introduced and it is found that lightning radiates over a distance of several tens of kilometers. This length is much greater than the lightning bolt’s apparent length (several kilometers). The difference between the lengths is explained using fractal geometry. In terms of fractal geometry, the lightning discharge is so tortuous that an actually very long lightning bolt is accommodated by a short straight line. An attempt is made to determine the fractal dimension of tortuous and intermittent lightning bolts.

Received: 21.02.2012

 English version: Technical Physics, 2012, 57:12, 1733–1734

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