Exponential relaxation of optical emissions in sprites

The optical emissions in a large number of bright sprites observed over one storm in 1998 exhibit a relaxation that is closely exponential in time. This feature was unexpected but might be explained by the presence of quasi‐constant electric fields over times of several milliseconds, in which case t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 2002-05, Vol.107 (A5), p.SIA 6-1-SIA 6-10
Main Authors: Barrington-Leigh, Christopher P., Pasko, Victor P., Inan, Umran S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmospheric electricity
Earth, ocean, space
electron density
Exact sciences and technology
exponential relaxation
External geophysics
General properties of the high atmosphere
ion density
Meteorology
photometry
Physics of the high neutral atmosphere
Sprite
streamer
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Summary:The optical emissions in a large number of bright sprites observed over one storm in 1998 exhibit a relaxation that is closely exponential in time. This feature was unexpected but might be explained by the presence of quasi‐constant electric fields over times of several milliseconds, in which case the optical relaxation would be a direct indication of the exponentially changing electron density. The relaxation rates for sprites appear to have an upper bound that is consistent with the dissociative electron attachment rates expected at sprite altitudes. The experimental results are consistent with existing large‐scale electrodynamic models of sprites as well as with the streamer mechanism as the underlying physical process for sprite ionization.
ISSN:0148-0227
2156-2202
DOI:10.1029/2001JA900117