Gamma ray flashes by plasma effects in the middle atmosphere

Abstract

In this paper a novel mechanism is identified for the generation of gamma ray flashes observed on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory satellite. During typical cloud to ground lightning flashes, the electromagnetic pulse can create a self-focused whistler wave channel or duct to guide 10-10/cm of ~1 MeV electrons (formed by static stratified electric field in clouds at 20 km), to a height of about 30 km where these electrons can create the gamma ray flash by bremsstrahlung. This scenario combines the various observational features of lightning-generated electromagnetic pulses and low altitude energetic electrons to provide a viable nonlinear transport mechanism of energetic electrons to the desired altitude of 30 km for conversion into gamma ray flashes.