Digital High-Speed Spectroscopic Recordings in the Upward Lightning Triggering Study (UPLIGHTS)

这是一个为期三年的外地行动项目，分为两部分。头两年，即2013年和2014年，将在南达科他州拉皮特城开展实地项目，然后进行评估和分析。第三年，也就是2015年，将是在佛罗里达大学实验站布朗营使用两台高速摄像机(一台用于光谱，一台用于黑白图像)的合适时间。前几年还建造了三个光谱光学输入衍射光栅单元，其中两个具有560 nm和600 nm的光栅，一个具有750 nm的光栅。当前研究的目标是获得整个光学通道长度的高时间分辨率的光谱数据(380-850 nm)，用于所有可见元素，即与正负导联击穿相关的回击、阶跃和省道导联、M-冲程、持续电流和反冲导联。这些光谱数据将提供对整个通道长度的温度、电子密度和其他热力学性质的估计。此外，这些数据将与国家闪电探测网络(NLDN)和闪电测绘阵列(LMA)或同一闪光上的干涉测量进行匹配，从而可以得出极性、峰值电流、闪光范围等。这些全部信息将提供迄今为止最完整的自然闪电和触发闪电通道的物理描述。智力价值：这项研究活动的智力价值是提供迄今为止最完整的自然闪电和触发闪电通道的物理描述。广泛影响：研究结果将立即影响合作科学家及其学生的研究计划。目前，已有十多家合作机构表达了对闪电项目及其相关信息的兴趣。这项研究将有助于直接参与该项目的研究生的教育。研究成果将被纳入云物理和中尺度现象的高级课程。

This is a three-year project for field operations divided into two parts. The first two years, 2013 and 2014, will be a field program in Rapid City, South Dakota followed by evaluation and analyses. The third year, 2015, will be the appropriate time to use two high-speed cameras (one for spectra; one for black and white imagery) at the Camp Blanding, University of Florida experimental station. Three spectroscopic optical input diffraction grating units, two with gratings blazed at 560 nm and 600 nm, and one at 750 nm have also be built in the previous years. The objective of the current research is to obtain spectral data (380 - 850 nm) from the entire optical channel length with high time resolution for all visible elements, i.e. return strokes, stepped and dart leaders, M-strokes, continuing currents, and recoil leaders associated with positive and negative leader breakdown. These spectral data will provide estimates of temperature, electron density, and other thermodynamic properties throughout the channel lengths. In addition, these data will then be matched to National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) and Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) or interferometry measurements on the same flashes for which the polarity, peak current, flash extent, etc. can be derived. This total information will provide the most complete physical description of natural and triggered lightning channels to-date.Intellectual Merit: The intellectual merit of this research activity is to provide the most complete physical description of natural and triggered lightning channels to-date.Broader Impact: Results from the research will have an immediate impact on the research programs of cooperating scientists and their students. At the moment, more than ten cooperating institutions have expressed an interest in the Lightning Project and the associated information. This research will contribute to the education of graduate students who will directly participate in the project. Research results will be incorporated into advanced courses on cloud physics and mesoscale phenomena.