Thunderstorm electric fields probed by extensive air showers through their polarized radio emission

T. N.G. Trinh, O. Scholten, A. Bonardi, S. Buitink, A. Corstanje, U. Ebert, J. E. Enriquez, H. Falcke, J. R. Hörandel, B. M. Hare, P. Mitra, K. Mulrey, A. Nelles, J. P. Rachen, L. Rossetto, C. Rutjes, P. Schellart, S. Thoudam, S. Ter Veen, T. Winchen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

We observe a large fraction of circular polarization in radio emission from extensive air showers recorded during thunderstorms, much higher than in the emission from air showers measured during fair-weather circumstances. We show that the circular polarization of the air showers measured during thunderstorms can be explained by the change in the direction of the transverse current as a function of altitude induced by atmospheric electric fields. Thus by using the full set of Stokes parameters for these events, we obtain a good characterization of the electric fields in thunderclouds. We also measure a large horizontal component of the electric fields in the two events that we have analyzed.

Original languageBritish English
Article number083004
JournalPhysical Review D
Volume95
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 7 Apr 2017

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Thunderstorm electric fields probed by extensive air showers through their polarized radio emission'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this