Global Impact of Lightning-Generated VLF Waves on Radiation Belt Electron Losses

该项目旨在评估闪电产生的甚低频（VLF）波对辐射带电子损失的全球影响，这一过程被称为闪电诱导电子沉淀（LEP）。该项目将研究以下主题：(1)量化地磁暴期间高能太阳粒子注入之间的联系；(2)量化闪电参数与产生的LEP特征之间的联系；(3)推导闪电对辐射带高能电子损失的总贡献。为了量化闪电在辐射带高能电子损失中的作用，需要连续可靠的全球闪电地理定位数据和全球观测站点网络来探测这些降水事件。一个新的闪电地理定位网络首次提供了对闪电活动的完整全球覆盖，一个VLF接收器的全球网络现在正在运行，可以监测与电子降水相关的电离层干扰。最后，最近的努力在物理过程建模方面取得了两个重大突破。这个项目将有助于斯坦福大学研究生的培训。该计划将利用并因此加强在国际太阳物理年（IHY）主持下建立的VLF接收器国际网络。在这个项目下，斯坦福大学在发展中国家安置了25名接受者，资助和培训当地科学家使用这些数据。斯坦福大学已经建立了重要的基础设施来支持这个项目，并继续举办一系列国际研讨会，吸引世界各地的科学家。

This project is directed at assessing the global impact of lightning-generated Very Low Frequency (VLF) waves on radiation belt electron loss, a process known as lightning-induced electron precipitation (LEP). The project will address the following topics: (1) Quantify the connection between injection of energetic solar particles during geomagnetic storms, (2) Quantify the connections between lightning parameters and resulting LEP characteristics, and (3) Derive the total contribution of lightning to radiation belt energetic electron losses. In order to quantify the role of lightning in energetic electron losses from the radiation belts, continuous and reliable global lightning geo-location data and a global network of observation sites to detect these precipitation events are needed. A new lightning geo-location network provides complete global coverage of lightning activity for the first time, and a global network of VLF receivers now operates, allowing monitoring of ionospheric disturbances associated with the electron precipitation. Finally, recent efforts have yielded two major breakthroughs in modeling the physical process. This project will contribute to the training of a graduate student at Stanford University. The program will leverage, and consequently strengthen, an international network of VLF receivers that was set up under the auspices of the International Heliophysical Year (IHY). Under this program, Stanford University has placed ¡­25 receivers in developing countries, sponsoring and training local scientists to use the data. Stanford has built significant infrastructure in support of this program and is continuing to hold a series of international workshops engaging scientists around the world.