A high speed optical imaging system for studying lightning attachment process

Abstract

We have developed a high speed optical imaging system for studying lightning attachment process. The system has the feature of wide dynamic range, long recording length, high time resolution and data collection efficiency. We have installed three of such systems at The International Center for Lightning Research and Testing (ICLRT) at Camp Blanding, Florida to observe the attachment process of both natural and rocket triggered lightning. We have obtained some preliminary results which demonstrate that the system is a useful tool for studying lightning attachment process.