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 +94-11-2584777, +94-11-2652762 (Private) Fax +94-1-2 584777 E-mail [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 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

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 Participant Year Research host 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 Thesis Year Mr G. Vernon Cooray PhD “Remote Sensing of Lightning Return Strokes Through Prof. Uppsala Univ., Sweden 1982 the Electric Radiation Fields” Co-operation partner to the Thesis defended at Uppsala Univ. group Mr Sudalaimuthu PhD “Studies of Electromagnetic Fields from First and Namasivayam 1991 Subsequent Strokes of natural Lightning” Director Arthur C Clark Center Thesis defended at Uppsala Univ. for Modern Technologies, Moratuwa (now CEO, of a personal Electrical and Lightning protection company) Mr K P S C Jayaratne PhD “On Fair – Weather and Thunderstorm Electricity. Senior Lecturer, Group Member 1992 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 PhD “Electromagnetic Dissociation of Relativistic Si by Prof. Group Member 1992 Nucleon Emission” G. Marasinghe PhD “Effects of Substituting Silicon and Manganese for Iron Associate Professor of Physics, 1993 on the Magnetic Properties of Several Rare-Earth University of North Dakota Transition-Metal Boron Compounds Thesis defended at University of Missouri-Rolla Mr G A C Gomes PhD “On the Nature of Lightning Flashes: With Special Senior Lecturer, Group 1999 Attention to the Initiation, Modelling and Remote Member Sensing of Return Strokes” Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka Mr I M K Fernando PhD “Measurements and Analysis of Fast Transient Senior Lecturer, Group Leader 2001 Electromagnetic Fields generated by Ground and Cloud Flashes with Special Attention to Lightning Direction Finding” Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka Mr Ranjith Lelwala PhD “Studies on the Basic Atmospheric Electrical Senior Lecturer, Group Member 2001 Parameters of Fair-Weather and Related Processes in the Electrode Layer” Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka Highest Degree Obtained and Present Position continues Name and present position Degree Thesis Year Ms Wasana Jayawardena MPhil “Exploring the Spatial and Temporal Variations of Research Ass., Group Member 2003 Rainfall in Sri Lanka” Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo Mr P Liyanage PhD “Correlation between Optical and Current Signatures Senior Lecturer, Group Member 2006 with Special Attention to Remote Sensing of Lightning Flashes” Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka M. Edirisinghe PhD “Behavior of Low Voltage Surge Protective Devices in Senior Lecturer, Group Member 2007 Fast Transient and Repetitive Current Impulse Environment” Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka Mr Shiram Sharma, PhD See below Tribhuwan Univ., 2007 Kathmandu, Nepal Lecturer, Tribhuwan Univ.

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, 2005 Dhaka, Bangladesh 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, 2008 Mexico F. Heidler, Univ. Der Bundeswehr, München, 1999, 2006, 2008 Germany P. Håkansson, Uppsala Univ. 1997 S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ. 84/85, 1999, 2001 R. Kithil, National Lightning Safety Institute, 2004 USA E. Knudsen, Uppsala Univ. 87/88, 88/89, 94/95 F. Rashidi, Ecole d’Ínénierie et de Gestion du 2001, 2007 Canton de Vaud, Switzerland Visits by non-regional co-operating scientists continues Scientist Year M. Rubinstein, Ecole d’Ínénierie et de Gestion 2007 du Canton de Vaud, Switzerland 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 Participant Year Research host Shri Ram Sharma, Poorbanchal Univ., Kathmandu, 2003 M. Fernando, Colombo Univ. Nepal (12m) Shri Ram Sharma, Poorbanchal Univ., Kathmandu, 2004 M. Fernando, Colombo Univ. Nepal (12m) Shri Ram Sharma, Poorbanchal Univ., Kathmandu, 2005 M. Fernando, Colombo Univ. Nepal (12m) Shri Ram Sharma, Poorbanchal Univ., Kathmandu, 2006 M. Fernando, Colombo Univ. Nepal (5m) Shri Ram Sharma, Poorbanchal Univ., Kathmandu, 2007 M. Fernando, Colombo Univ. Nepal (4m)

Highest Degree Obtained and Present Position Name and present position Degree Thesis Year Mr Shiram Sharma, PhD “Electromagnetic Fields Radiated by Lightning in Tropical Tribhuwan Univ., 2007 and Temperate Regions” Kathmandu, Nepal Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka Lecturer, Tribhuwan Univ.

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, 1992 High Speed Camera, Chart Recorder) NARESA 1992 1,350 USD Univ. of Colombo 1992 110 USD NARESA 1993 1,400 USD JAICA (Dealy Generator, RF Intensity Meter, Sound Level 1993 Meter) NARESA 1994 1,250 USD Univ. Grants Commission 1994 2,600 USD NARESA 1996 23,000 USD Financial support besides IPPS continues Institution Year Amount Univ. Grants Commission 1996 2,600 USD NARESA 1997 24,000 USD Univ. of Colombo 1999 350 USD National Science Foundation 1999 4,500 USD Univ. of Colombo 2001 250 USD National Science Foundation 2001 3,250 USD Univ. of Colombo 2002 100 USD National Science Foundation 2002 1,500 USD Asian Development Bank 2003 30,000 USD National Science Foundation 2004 1,338 USD National Science Foundation 2005 7,400 USD National Science Foundation 2006 7,400 USD National Science Foundation 2007 1,000 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 Development 48% 48%

SRI:01/1 TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS ACCORDING TO CATEGORY TOTAL NUMBER 161

MSc/MPhil Theses PhD Theses 9% 7% International Journals 14%

Conference Reg./Loc. Journals Reports 16% 54%

SRI:01/1 IPPS ALLOCATIONS 1978-2008

1000

900 REG. 800 TRAIN. DEV. 700

600

500

kSEK

400

300

200

100

0 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008

YEAR

SRI:01/1 PUBLICATIONS 1978-2008

30

MSc/ MPhil 25 PhD CONF. REP. 20 LOC. J. INT. J. 15

NUMBER

10

5

0 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008

YEAR