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Lightning and Electromagnetic Phenomena
Research Guide
What is Lightning and Electromagnetic Phenomena?
Lightning and electromagnetic phenomena refer to the physics of lightning discharges, their global distribution, associated electromagnetic fields, and related effects such as terrestrial gamma-ray flashes and interactions with the atmospheric electric circuit.
The field encompasses 212,979 works on lightning physics, detection systems, thunderstorm dynamics, and electromagnetic simulations. Key studies include global lightning distributions observed from space and comprehensive treatments of lightning physics and effects. Research addresses lightning protection, power system impacts, and computational modeling of electromagnetic transients.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes
This sub-topic studies high-energy photon bursts produced by lightning in thunderstorms. Researchers model production mechanisms and satellite observations of TGFs.
Atmospheric Electric Circuit
This sub-topic examines global ionospheric potential, fair weather currents, and thunderstorm charging. Researchers model circuit responses to solar and climate variations.
Lightning Detection Systems
This sub-topic covers networks like WWLLN and GLD for locating and characterizing discharges. Researchers improve accuracy, nowcasting, and multi-sensor integration.
Lightning Electromagnetic Fields
This sub-topic analyzes radiated fields, return strokes, and EMP from lightning strikes. Researchers develop propagation models for power line impacts.
Thunderstorm Dynamics
This sub-topic investigates updraft charging, electrification, and convective processes in storms. Researchers use radar and simulations to predict lightning initiation.
Why It Matters
Lightning and electromagnetic phenomena directly impact power systems quality and protection, as detailed in "Electrical power systems quality" by Dugan et al. (1996), which outlines voltage quality concerns from lightning-induced transients affecting 2614 cited works. "Lightning" by Rakov and Uman (2003) covers lightning interactions with objects and systems, including protection strategies cited 1605 times. Global observations from "Global frequency and distribution of lightning as observed from space by the Optical Transient Detector" by Christian et al. (2003) enable improved detection systems, with the Optical Transient Detector on MicroLab-1 providing Earth-orbit data cited 1486 times. Recent advancements like drone-based lightning triggering (2025 news) and laser-guided lightning preprints demonstrate practical applications in controlling strikes for infrastructure safety.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Lightning" by Rakov and Uman (2003), as it provides a complete accessible overview of lightning physics, effects, and protection cited 1605 times.
Key Papers Explained
"Global frequency and distribution of lightning as observed from space by the Optical Transient Detector" by Christian et al. (2003) establishes observational data from space-based detection, which informs physics models in "Lightning" by Rakov and Uman (2003); computational methods in "Digital Computer Solution of Electromagnetic Transients in Single-and Multiphase Networks" by Dommel (1969) build on these for simulating transients; boundary conditions from "Absorbing Boundary Conditions for the Finite-Difference Approximation of the Time-Domain Electromagnetic-Field Equations" by Mur (1981) enable accurate finite-difference simulations of lightning electromagnetic fields.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Recent preprints explore laser-guided lightning by Houard et al. (2025) and superbolt distributions from ENTLN data (2018–2021); news highlights cosmic-ray ignition via 3D mapping (2025) and drone triggering of lightning.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A perfectly matched layer for the absorption of electromagneti... | 1994 | Journal of Computation... | 9.8K | ✕ |
| 2 | Introduction to Electrodynamics | 2017 | Cambridge University P... | 3.4K | ✕ |
| 3 | Rational approximation of frequency domain responses by vector... | 1999 | IEEE Transactions on P... | 3.1K | ✕ |
| 4 | Electrical power systems quality | 1996 | Choice Reviews Online | 2.6K | ✓ |
| 5 | Absorbing Boundary Conditions for the Finite-Difference Approx... | 1981 | IEEE Transactions on E... | 2.5K | ✕ |
| 6 | Introduction to Electrodynamics | 2023 | Cambridge University P... | 1.9K | ✕ |
| 7 | Digital Computer Solution of Electromagnetic Transients in Sin... | 1969 | IEEE Transactions on P... | 1.7K | ✕ |
| 8 | Lightning | 2003 | Cambridge University P... | 1.6K | ✕ |
| 9 | Global frequency and distribution of lightning as observed fro... | 2003 | Journal of Geophysical... | 1.5K | ✓ |
| 10 | Wave Propagation in Overhead Wires with Ground Return | 1926 | Bell System Technical ... | 1.3K | ✕ |
In the News
New research unravels the mysteries of lightning's origins
**Paper**: “3D Radio Frequency Mapping and Polarization Observations Show Lightning Flashes Were Ignited by Cosmic-Ray Showers.” JGR Atmospheres. **Funding**: Laboratory Directed Research and Devel...
World's First Successful Lightning Triggering and Guiding ...
1. ◆We have achieved the world's first successful lightning triggering and guiding using a drone by harnessing electric field fluctuations.
3D Radio Frequency Mapping and Polarization Observations Show Lightning Flashes Were Ignited by Cosmic‐Ray Showers
How lightning is started in thunderstorms is still unclear. With our newly developed 3D mapping and polarization system, we observed that some lightning flashes were not only started with the posit...
Scientists finally solve the mystery of what triggers lightning
Though scientists have long understood how lightning strikes, the precise atmospheric events that trigger it within thunderclouds remained a perplexing mystery. The mystery may be solved, thanks to...
A 180-Year Assumption About Light Was Just Proven Wrong
**Related: This Tiny 'Spark' Could Help Solve The Mystery of Lightning's Origins **
Code & Tools
## Repository files navigation # Lichtenberg test Lichtenberg is a collection of example implementations of Dielectric Breakdown represents `L...
An open framework for the analysis of transient overvoltage in overhead lines and underground cables due to lightning ### License MIT license
A comprehensive and full-featured computational physics suite for boundary-element analysis of electromagnetic scattering, fluctuation-induced phen...
EMpy - ElectroMagnetic Python is a suite of algorithms widely known and used in electromagnetic problems and optics: the transfer matrix algorithm,...
The`emf`package is a container for two subpackages (documentation accessible here ). The subpackages, called`fields`and`subcalc`, are for modeling ...
Recent Preprints
Reevaluating the global and temporal distributions of lightning superbolts: insights from ENTLN data (2018–2021)
Lightning superbolts (SBs), defined as Cloud-to-Ground strikes (CGs) with extraordinarily high peak currents (Ips), represent a rare and extreme category of lightning events (<< 1% of the total lig...
Laser-guided lightning
Laser-guided lightning Aurélien Houard, Pierre Walch, Thomas Produit, Victor Moreno, Benoit Mahieu, Antonio Sunjerga, Clemens Herkommer, Amirhossein Mostajabi, Ugo Andral, Yves-Bernard André, et al...
Polarity Asymmetry in Lightning Leaders: the Evolution of Ideas on Lightning Behavior from Strikes to Aircraft
This study is concerned with outstanding questions on the mechanism of lightning and its theoretical treatment as a bidirectional leader. Previous studies of lightning strikes to aircraft are rev...
Could lasers reveal what sparks a lightning strike ...
Meta © 2025
A Review of Electromagnetic Induction on Planetary Bodies
Electromagnetic (EM) sounding has a long-standing history of allowing us to look into the interior of a planetary body. By exploiting time-varying magnetic fields, ubiquitous throughout our solar s...
Latest Developments
Recent research indicates that cosmic-ray showers play a pivotal role in triggering lightning flashes, with Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists using advanced 3D radio frequency mapping to observe polarization patterns that support this, as of March 2025 (LANL, losalamosreporter.com), while studies also continue to explore lightning's electromagnetic radiation, its effects on the ionosphere, and its potential to generate gamma radiation (NASA, phys.org).
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the global distribution of lightning?
The Optical Transient Detector on MicroLab-1, launched in 1995, detected lightning discharges from a 70° inclination low Earth orbit, revealing global frequency and distribution. Christian et al. (2003) reported these space-based observations in "Global frequency and distribution of lightning as observed from space by the Optical Transient Detector".
How are electromagnetic transients from lightning simulated?
Dommel (1969) developed a nodal admittance matrix method using the method of characteristics for distributed parameters and trapezoidal rule for lumped parameters in "Digital Computer Solution of Electromagnetic Transients in Single-and Multiphase Networks". This approach solves transients in arbitrary networks and is cited 1671 times.
What are key aspects of lightning physics?
"Lightning" by Rakov and Uman (2003) covers lightning physics, protection, and environmental interactions, accessible to diverse audiences and cited 1605 times. It addresses all aspects including effects on systems.
How are absorbing boundary conditions used in electromagnetic simulations?
Mur (1981) introduced absorbing boundary conditions for finite-difference time-domain solutions in unbounded space in "Absorbing Boundary Conditions for the Finite-Difference Approximation of the Time-Domain Electromagnetic-Field Equations", enabling mesh truncation and cited 2541 times.
What role do cosmic rays play in lightning initiation?
Recent observations show lightning flashes ignited by cosmic-ray showers, as in 3D radio frequency mapping and polarization studies reported in 2025 news on “3D Radio Frequency Mapping and Polarization Observations Show Lightning Flashes Were Ignited by Cosmic-Ray Showers.” Positive fast discharges followed cosmic-ray events.
Open Research Questions
- ? What initiates lightning flashes within thunderstorms, particularly the role of cosmic-ray showers?
- ? How can lasers effectively guide lightning strikes?
- ? What are the global and temporal distributions of lightning superbolts using networks like ENTLN?
- ? Why does polarity asymmetry occur in lightning leaders during strikes to aircraft?
- ? How do electromagnetic induction effects from lightning vary across planetary bodies?
Recent Trends
Preprints from the last six months include "Reevaluating the global and temporal distributions of lightning superbolts: insights from ENTLN data (2018–2021)" analyzing rare high-peak-current strikes and "Laser-guided lightning" by Houard et al.; news covers cosmic-ray triggered flashes in “3D Radio Frequency Mapping and Polarization Observations Show Lightning Flashes Were Ignited by Cosmic‐Ray Showers” and world's first drone lightning triggering (2025).
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