Atmospheric Physics and Lightning IPPS SRI:01/1 - · PDF fileAtmospheric Physics and Lightning IPPS SRI:01/1 Address Department of Physics University of Colombo 00 300 Colombo 3 Sri

Atmospheric Physics and Lightning IPPS SRI:01/1

Address Department of Physics

University of Colombo 00 300 Colombo 3 Sri Lanka

Visiting address Cumarathunga Munidasa Mawatha Phone Fax E-mail

+94-11-2584777, +94-11-2652762 (Private) +94-1-2 584777 [email protected]

Group leaders Dr. I. M. K. Fernando Staff members Dr. I.M.K. Fernando, PhD, Senior Lecturer

Dr. R.Lelwala, PhD, Senior Lecturer Dr. G.A.C. Gomes, PhD, Senior Lecturer Dr. K.P.S. C. Jayaratne, PhD, Senior Lecturer Prof. T.R. Ariyaratne, PhD, Professor Prof. D.U.J. Sonnadara, PhD, Professor Dr. C.M. Edirisinghe, PhD, Senior Lecturer Dr. P. Liyanage, PhD, Senior Lecturer Dr J. A. P. Bodhika, PhD, Senior Lecturer Ms H.K.W.I. Jayawardane, MPhil, Research Assistant Mr V. Jeyanthiran, BSc, Probationary Lecturer Mr C. Perera, BSc, Research Assistant Mr P. Hettiarachchi, BSc, Probationary Lecturer Ms M. Hettiarachchi, BSc, Temporary Lecturer

Summary

Even though the two third of lighting activities in the earth takes place in the tropics, only a very

few studies on lightning physics have been conducted in this region. The Atmospheric Physics

and Lightning Research group was established in early 1970s with the aim of studying the

physics of lightning and atmospheric physics in the tropics.

In order to understand the lightning initiation and propagation of lightning ground and cloud

flashes the group conducted a few studies. Thunder signatures generated by ground and cloud

flashes were analyzed to understand the location of thunder sources in a lightning ground flashes.

Also the frequency spectra and the variation of frequency and amplitude thunder signatures were

studied. Still and video photographs were used to study the propagation of lightning channels.

Lightning generated electric (radiation and static) fields together with high frequency signatures

were collected in Florida, USA for further understanding of the lightning electric field signatures

in subtropical regions. A new PhD program was started aiming to theoretical study on upper

atmosphere lightning activities. Another PhD program has been initiated in the field of

Electromagnetic Compatibility.

According to the available information, the pollution level of Sri Lanka is increasing gradually.

The rapid industrialization and the increasing number of automobiles are responsible for this

increase. However, the effect on pollution on the environment due to highways and other

industrial zones are not taken in to account in many cases. Therefore, the group decided to

conduct a program to develop a dispersion model for Sri Lanka. The model is expected to give an

mailto:[email protected]

understanding of the distribution of pollution by various sources in Sri Lanka. It is also expected

to use the model for weather forecasting.

Publications listed in the activity reports for year 2007 and 2008 include: - M. Rahman, V. Cooray, V.A. Rakov, M.A. Uman, P. Liyanage, B.A. DeCarlo, J. Jerauld, and R.C. Olsen

III, “ Measurements of NOX Produced by Rocket-Triggered Lightning“, Geophysical Research Letters, 34,

(2007)

- J.S. Mäkelä, M. Edirisinghe, M. Fernando, R. Montaño and V. Cooray, “HF Radiation Emitted by Chaotic

Leader Processes”, Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 19(6), 707 (2007)

- M. Fernando and V. Cooray, “Propagation Effects on the Electric Field Time Derivatives Generated by

Return Strokes in Lightning Flashes”, Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 69(12), 1388

(2007)

- Research Highlights“A Flash of NOx “, Nature, 446, 4 (2007)

- S.R. Sharma, V. Cooray and M. Fernando, “Isolated Breakdown Activity in Swedish Lightning”, Journal of

Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 70, (8-9), 1213 (2008)

- S.R. Sharma, M. Fernando and V. Cooray, “Narrow Positive Bipolar Radiation from Lightning Observed in

Sri Lanka”, Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 70 (10), 1251 (2008)

PhD Theses - Shriram Sharma, “Electromagnetic Fields Radiated by Lightning in Tropical and Temperate Regions”

(2007)

- CM Edirisinghe, “Behavior of Low Voltage Surge Protective Devices in Fast Transient and Repetitive

Current Impulse Environment” (2007)

- J. A. P. Bodhika, “A Study of Thunder Generated by Cloud and Ground Lightning Flashes” (2008)

Conference reports and local/regional publications are not listed

Major equipment Agilent Infinium 1GHz 4 Channel Oscilloscope

Storage oscilloscopes (GOULD 4030 & LEADER, 40 MHz)

ADVANTEST Spectrum analyzer (4 GHz max)

LeCroy transient recorders (300 MHz, one with 4 Channels)

Lightning flash counters (VO3 & V10 - older versions)

Mackerras' Lightning flash counter ( CGR3 -latest version)

Analogue to ASCII Converter (16 channel data acquisition system)

Canon high speed photography camera with studio facilities

Video cameras (01- Panasonic, 01-JVC)

21” Colour TV (SONY KV-2183GE )

Video Cassette Recorder (National NV-L28EO)

Field mills (for electric field measurements)

x-t flat-bed pen chart recorders (1 single & 2 dual, channels)

x-y Chart recorder

Obolensky filters- for space charge measurements

Direction Finding stations with Electric and Magnetic field antennas

Advanced Lightning Direction Finding System

HP Laserjet printer with scanner and copier

Cannon photocopy Machine

Shaffner NGS 2050 Impulse Generator

Monochromators (Edmond Industrial Optics)

Weather stations

Honda Generator

Fridge (IGNIS- 2 door)

Bruel and Kajar Microphone systems including an amplifier and a calibrator

UMAX Powerlook 180 Film Scanner

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13646826

http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/author_form?author=Fernando,+M&fullauthor=Fernando,%20Mahendra&charset=UTF-8&db_key=PHY

Research Visits and Training (in Europe)

Participant Year Research host

V. Cooray (10m)* 79/80 S. Lundqvist, Uppsala Univ.

M. Edirisinghe (10m) 2003 V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

M. Edirisinghe (4m) 2005 “ “

M. Edirisinghe (6m) 2006 “ “

I. M. K. Fernando (5 m) 94/95 V. Scuca, Uppsala Univ.

I. M. K. Fernando (8 m) 95/96 V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

I. M. K. Fernando (10m) 1997 V. Scuka/V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.rsity

I. M. K. Fernando (6m) 2000 V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

I. M. K. Fernando (1.5m)** 2004 “ “

I. M. K. Fernando (2m) 2007 V. Coorey, Uppsala University (1m) and

Univ. of Florida, USA (1m)

I. M. K. Fernando (12m) 2008 V. Coorey, Uppsala University

G. A. C. Gomes (13m) 95/96 V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

G. A. C. Gomes (5m) 1997 V. Scuka/V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

G. A. C. Gomes (12m) 1998 “ “ “

G. A. C. Gomes (2m) 1999 “ “ “

K. P. C. Jayaratne (3m) 84/85 V. Scuka/V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

K. P. C. Jayaratne (12m) 86/87 “ “ “

K. P. C. Jayaratne (1m) 87/88 ICTP, Trieste, Italy

K. P. C. Jayaratne (6m) 87/88 V. Scuka/V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

K. P. C. Jayaratne (6m) 88/89 “ “ “

K. P. C. Jayaratne (7m) 89/90 “ “ “

K. P. C. Jayaratne (7m) 90/91 “ “ “

K. P. C. Jayaratne (2m) 91/92 “ “ “

K. P. C. Jayaratne (1m) 1994 V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

K. P. C. Jayaratne (1m) 1996 “ “

Wasana Jayawardena (Ms) (4m) 2004 L. Enger, Uppsala Univ.

Wasana Jayawardena (Ms) (5m) 2005 ” ”

M. T. L. Kannangara (11.5m) 77/78 S. Lundqvist, Uppsala Univ.

R. Lelwala (6m) 94/95 S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ.

R. Lelwala (9m) 95/96 ” ”

R. Lelwala (3m) 1997 ” ”

R. Lelwala (5 m) 1997 Prof. Tuomi Meteorology Inst., Finland

R. Lelwala (7 m) 1998 S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ.

R. Lelwala (5 m) 2000 ” ”

R. Lelwala (1.5m)** 2004 S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ.

J.P. Liyanage (4m) 2002 V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

J.P. Liyanage (2.5m) 2003 “ “

J.P. Liyanage (4m) 2004 V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

J.P. Liyanage (4m) 2005 V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. (3m)and Univ. of

Florida, USA (1m)

G. Marasinghe (1.5m) 85/86 S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ.

S. Namasivayam (12m) 80/81 S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ.

S. Namasivayam (10m) 83/84 S. Israelsson/J. de Sousa Pires, Uppsala

Univ.

* Professor at Uppsala Univ. since 2000

* * Funds from Asia Development Bank

Research Visits and Training (in Europe) continues


S. Namasivayam (12m) 84/85 S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ.

S. Namasivayam (12m) 85/86 ” ”

C. Perera (4m) 2006 V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

C. G. K. Piyadasa (10m)*** 90/91 S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ.

S.R. Sharma (Nepal) (7m) 2006 V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

R. Shrestha (Nepal) (3m) 2000 V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

D.U.J. Sonnadara (1m) 2002 V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.

D.U.J. Sonnadara (9m) 2003 “ “

* * Funds from Asia Development Bank

*** Now in group SRI:01/2

Highest Degree Obtained and Present Position

Name and present position

Degree

Year

Thesis

Mr G. Vernon Cooray Prof. Uppsala Univ., Sweden

Co-operation partner to the

group

PhD

1982

“Remote Sensing of Lightning Return Strokes Through

the Electric Radiation Fields”

Thesis defended at Uppsala Univ.

Mr Sudalaimuthu

Namasivayam Director Arthur C Clark Center

for Modern Technologies,

Moratuwa (now CEO, of a

personal Electrical and

Lightning protection company)

PhD

1991

“Studies of Electromagnetic Fields from First and

Subsequent Strokes of natural Lightning”

Thesis defended at Uppsala Univ.

Mr K P S C Jayaratne Senior Lecturer, Group Member

PhD

1992

“On Fair – Weather and Thunderstorm Electricity.

Basis for Construction of an Atmospheric Electrical

Station in Sri Lanka”

Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri

Lanka

Mr D. U. J. Sonnadera Prof. Group Member

PhD

1992

“Electromagnetic Dissociation of Relativistic Si by

Nucleon Emission”

G. Marasinghe Associate Professor of Physics,

University of North Dakota

PhD

1993

“Effects of Substituting Silicon and Manganese for Iron

on the Magnetic Properties of Several Rare-Earth

Transition-Metal Boron Compounds

Thesis defended at University of Missouri-Rolla

Mr G A C Gomes Senior Lecturer, Group Member

PhD

1999

“On the Nature of Lightning Flashes: With Special

Attention to the Initiation, Modelling and Remote

Sensing of Return Strokes”


Lanka

Mr I M K Fernando Senior Lecturer, Group Leader

PhD

2001

“Measurements and Analysis of Fast Transient

Electromagnetic Fields generated by Ground and Cloud

Flashes with Special Attention to Lightning Direction

Finding”


Lanka

Mr Ranjith Lelwala Senior Lecturer, Group Member

PhD

2001

“Studies on the Basic Atmospheric Electrical

Parameters of Fair-Weather and Related Processes in

the Electrode Layer”


Lanka

Highest Degree Obtained and Present Position continues

Name and present position

Degree

Year

Thesis

Ms Wasana Jayawardena Research Ass., Group Member

MPhil

2003

“Exploring the Spatial and Temporal Variations of

Rainfall in Sri Lanka”

Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo

Mr P Liyanage Senior Lecturer, Group Member

PhD

2006

“Correlation between Optical and Current Signatures

with Special Attention to Remote Sensing of Lightning

Flashes”


Lanka

M. Edirisinghe Senior Lecturer, Group Member

PhD

2007

“Behavior of Low Voltage Surge Protective Devices in

Fast Transient and Repetitive Current Impulse

Environment” Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri

Lanka

Mr Shiram Sharma,

Tribhuwan Univ.,

Kathmandu, Nepal

Lecturer, Tribhuwan Univ.

PhD

2007

See below

Other short-term visits to co-operating research groups

Scientist Year Research host

I. M. K. Fernando 2007 Univ. of Florida, USA

Kannangara Head of Dept. 82/83 Uppsala Univ.

P. Liyanage 2005 Univ. of Florida, USA

Visits by regional scientists

Scientist Year

M. Ahmed, Technological Assistance for Rural Advancement,

Dhaka, Bangladesh

2005

K. B. Garg, Univ. of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India 95/96

O. Prakash, Tribhuvan Univ., Amrit Campus, Nepal 2004

R. Shrestha, Kathmandu 95/96

Visits by non-regional co-operating scientists

Scientist Year

V. Cooray, Uppsala Univ. 89/90, 92/93, 93/94, 94/95, 95/96,

1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006,

2007, 2008

L. Enger, Uppsala Univ. 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

A. Galvan, Inst. De Investigaciones Electrical,

Mexico

2008

F. Heidler, Univ. Der Bundeswehr, München,

Germany

1999, 2006, 2008

P. Håkansson, Uppsala Univ. 1997

S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ. 84/85, 1999, 2001

R. Kithil, National Lightning Safety Institute,

USA

2004

E. Knudsen, Uppsala Univ. 87/88, 88/89, 94/95

F. Rashidi, Ecole d’Ínénierie et de Gestion du

Canton de Vaud, Switzerland

2001, 2007

Visits by non-regional co-operating scientists continues

Scientist Year

M. Rubinstein, Ecole d’Ínénierie et de Gestion

du Canton de Vaud, Switzerland

2007

J. de Sousa Pires, Uppsala Univ. 82/83

K. Svanberg, Lund Univ. 2005

S. Svanberg, Lund Univ. 2005

H. Tammet, Univ. of Taru, Estonia 2001

Regional scientists receiving training by the group SRI:01/1


Shri Ram Sharma, Poorbanchal Univ., Kathmandu,

Nepal (12m)

2003 M. Fernando, Colombo Univ.


Nepal (12m)



Nepal (12m)



Nepal (5m)



Nepal (4m)


Highest Degree Obtained and Present Position

Name and present position Degree

Year

Thesis

Mr Shiram Sharma,

Tribhuwan Univ.,

Kathmandu, Nepal

Lecturer, Tribhuwan Univ.

PhD

2007

“Electromagnetic Fields Radiated by Lightning in Tropical

and Temperate Regions”

Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Arranged Conferences and Workshops

Visits by IPPS staff

Staff Year

L. Hasselgren 83/84, 85/86, 89/90, 90/91, 93/94, 95/96, 1997, 1998, 2000,

2002

Financial support besides IPPS

Institution Year Amount

Univ. of Colombo 1989 24,800 Rs

JAICA (Spectrum Analyzer, Oscilloscope, Weather Station,

High Speed Camera, Chart Recorder)

1992

NARESA 1992 1,350 USD

Univ. of Colombo 1992 110 USD


JAICA (Dealy Generator, RF Intensity Meter, Sound Level

Meter)

1993


Univ. Grants Commission 1994 2,600 USD


Financial support besides IPPS continues

Institution Year Amount

Univ. Grants Commission 1996 2,600 USD



National Science Foundation 1999 4,500 USD





Asian Development Bank 2003 30,000 USD





EURECA 2008 10,000 EURO and

Fellowships *

* For two years

Statistical summary

SRI:01/1

9 PhD (0F) PUBLICATIONS STUDENTS IPPS FUNDING [kSEK]

1 Mphil (1F) INT. LOC. CONF. PhD MSc/ PhD MSc DEV. TRAIN. REG. TOT.

4 BSc (1F) J. J. REP. MPhil Stud. Stud.

1978 1 60 0 61

1979 1 73 0 74

1980 19 0 0 19

1981 4 68 0 72

1982 1 2 0 0 2

1983 32 0 0 32

1984 13 80 0 93

1985 78 157 0 235

1986 110 97 0 207

1987 32 281 0 313

1988 2 2 1 0 0 1 (0F) 1 (0F) 74 0 0 74

1989 1 0 1 0 0 2 (0F) 92 0 0 92

1990 1 0 1 0 0 2 (1F) 1 (0F) 64 109 0 173

1991 0 3 2 1 0 1 (0F) 52 239 0 291

1992 0 0 1 1 0 1 (0F) 0 214 0 0 214

1993 0 4 1 0 0 3 (0F) 3 (1F) 146 7 0 153

1994 2 2 2 0 0 3 (0F) 3 (1F) 37 15 0 52

1995 0 4 1 0 1 3 (0F) 3 (1F) 139 121 0 260

1996 0 4 5 0 0 4 (0F) 2 (1F) 222 505 29 756

1997 1 0 10 0 0 4 (0F) 2 (1F) 253 295 0 548

1998 1 0 10 0 0 4 (0F) 2 (1F) 127 343 0 470

1999 0 0 9 1 0 3 0F) 3 (1F) 70 56 0 126

2000 0 0 5 1 0 2 (0F) 4 (1F) 76 179 0 255

2001 0 2 4 2 1 3 (1F) 1 (0F) 229 6 0 235

2002 0 2 3 0 0 4 (1F) 1 (0F) 420 142 10 572

2003 0 2 0 0 1 5 (1F) 0 207 560 58 825

2004 3 0 10 0 11 6 (1F) 1 (0F) 430 183 108 720

2005 4 1 0 0 0 6 (1F) 1 (0F) 660 154 59 873

2006 2 0 11 1 0 6 (1F) 2 (1F) 169 345 14 528

2007 3 0 0 2 0 3 (1F) 1 (0F) 302 51 96 449

2008 2 0 11 1 4 (2F) 1 (0F) 115 264 0 379

TOTAL 22 26 88 11 14 4390 4389 375 9153

TOTAL NUMBER OF YEARS OF REGULAR IPPS SUPPORT: 31

SRI:01/1

TOTAL GROUP ALLOCATIONS ACCORDING TO CATEGORY

TOTAL ALLOCATIONS SEK 9.2 MILLION

Regional

4%

Training

48%Development

48%

SRI:01/1

TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS ACCORDING TO CATEGORY

TOTAL NUMBER 161

MSc/MPhil Theses

9%PhD Theses

7%

Conference

Reports

54%

Reg./Loc. Journals

16%

International

Journals

14%

SRI:01/1

IPPS ALLOCATIONS 1978-2008

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008

YEAR

kS

EK

REG.

TRAIN.

DEV.

SRI:01/1

PUBLICATIONS 1978-2008

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008

YEAR

NU

MB

ER

MSc/ MPhil

PhD

CONF. REP.

LOC. J.

INT. J.

Documents

Atmospheric Physics and Lightning IPPS SRI:01/1 - · PDF fileAtmospheric Physics and Lightning IPPS SRI:01/1 Address Department of Physics University of Colombo 00 300 Colombo 3 Sri