A new Concept of Ball Lightning

Theory of ball lightning

We present a comprehensive theory on the formation of ball lightning, a luminous sphere sometimes observed after normal lightning. In a ball lightning event, a relativistic electron bunch can be produced by the stepped leader of lightning and coherently emit high-power microwave when striking the ground. The intense microwave ionizes the local air and evacuates the resulting plasma by its radiation pressure, thereby forming a spherical plasma cavity that traps the microwave. The theory can explain observed properties of ball lightning and should be useful to lightning protection and aviation s…

On electromagnetic models of ball lightning with topological structure

It has been long admitted that a consequence of the virial theorem is that there can be no equilibrium configurations of a system of charges in electromagnetic interaction in the absence of external forces. However, recent results have shown that the virial theorem can not preclude the existence of certain nontrivial equilibrium configurations. Although some of these new results are based on an effective microscopic field theory, they are important for a theory of ball lightning that has been developed by the authors of the present work. Other theoretical results relative to magnetic force-fre…

Analysis of Conditions favorable for Ball Lightning Creation

This report uses a few well documented cases of Ball Lightning (or BL for short) observations to demonstrate a correlation between BL and positive lightning, especially strong positive lightning. This allows to draw conclusions and predictions about future BL observations and the pro- duction of these objects in the laboratory. Contrary to many current BL theories, these objects can be created without direct contact to a lightning channel. Very high electric fields appear to be essential for the creation, together with the proper temporal structure of the field. So far no experiments have been…

Exciton matter sustained by colossal dispersive interactions due to enhanced polarizability: Possible clue to ball lightning

Recently Gilman has pointed out that the material state of a ball lightning is both highly cohesive and flexible. He makes a specific proposal for a cohesive state arising from (colossal) Van-der-Waals attraction between highly polarizable Rydberg atoms produced under a linear lightning. We accept his general suggestions but propose that the colossal Van-der-Waals coupling may also arise from the enhanced polarizability of surrogate molecular clusters, due to the polaron gap narrowing effect. We consider a few illuminating cases and present calculations for the ammonia molecule. Although being…

Lightning detection in planetary atmospheres

Lightning in planetary atmospheres is now a well-established concept. Here we discuss the available detection techniques for, and observations of, planetary lightning by spacecraft, planetary landers and, increasingly, sophisticated terrestrial radio telescopes. Future space missions carrying lightning-related instrumentation are also summarised, specifically the European ExoMars mission and Japanese Akatsuki mission to Venus, which could both yield lightning observations in 2016.

球状闪电作为暗物质物理的深刻表现

Ball Lightning as a profound manifestation of the Dark Matter physics

本文提出球状闪电的能量来源可能是由轴子夸克核块构成的暗物质，并认为部分不明空中现象也与该暗物质物理框架相关，同时给出了可检验该假说的具体方案。