Atmospheric Physics and Lightning 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 IPPS SRI:01/1 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 V. Cooray (10m)* M. Edirisinghe (10m) M. Edirisinghe (4m) M. Edirisinghe (6m) I. M. K. Fernando (5 m) I. M. K. Fernando (8 m) I. M. K. Fernando (10m) I. M. K. Fernando (6m) I. M. K. Fernando (1.5m)** I. M. K. Fernando (2m) Year 79/80 2003 2005 2006 94/95 95/96 1997 2000 2004 2007 I. M. K. Fernando (12m) G. A. C. Gomes (13m) G. A. C. Gomes (5m) G. A. C. Gomes (12m) G. A. C. Gomes (2m) K. P. C. Jayaratne (3m) K. P. C. Jayaratne (12m) K. P. C. Jayaratne (1m) K. P. C. Jayaratne (6m) K. P. C. Jayaratne (6m) K. P. C. Jayaratne (7m) K. P. C. Jayaratne (7m) K. P. C. Jayaratne (2m) K. P. C. Jayaratne (1m) K. P. C. Jayaratne (1m) Wasana Jayawardena (Ms) (4m) Wasana Jayawardena (Ms) (5m) M. T. L. Kannangara (11.5m) R. Lelwala (6m) R. Lelwala (9m) R. Lelwala (3m) R. Lelwala (5 m) R. Lelwala (7 m) R. Lelwala (5 m) R. Lelwala (1.5m)** J.P. Liyanage (4m) J.P. Liyanage (2.5m) J.P. Liyanage (4m) J.P. Liyanage (4m) 2008 95/96 1997 1998 1999 84/85 86/87 87/88 87/88 88/89 89/90 90/91 91/92 1994 1996 2004 2005 77/78 94/95 95/96 1997 1997 1998 2000 2004 2002 2003 2004 2005 G. Marasinghe (1.5m) S. Namasivayam (12m) S. Namasivayam (10m) 85/86 80/81 83/84 * Professor at Uppsala Univ. since 2000 * * Funds from Asia Development Bank Research host S. Lundqvist, Uppsala Univ. V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. “ “ “ “ V. Scuca, Uppsala Univ. V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. V. Scuka/V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ.rsity V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. “ “ V. Coorey, Uppsala University (1m) and Univ. of Florida, USA (1m) V. Coorey, Uppsala University V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. V. Scuka/V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. “ “ “ “ “ “ V. Scuka/V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. “ “ “ ICTP, Trieste, Italy V. Scuka/V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. “ “ L. Enger, Uppsala Univ. ” ” S. Lundqvist, Uppsala Univ. S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ. ” ” ” ” Prof. Tuomi Meteorology Inst., Finland S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ. ” ” S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ. V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. “ “ V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. (3m)and Univ. of Florida, USA (1m) S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ. S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ. S. Israelsson/J. de Sousa Pires, Uppsala Univ. Research Visits and Training (in Europe) continues Participant S. Namasivayam (12m) S. Namasivayam (12m) C. Perera (4m) C. G. K. Piyadasa (10m)*** S.R. Sharma (Nepal) (7m) R. Shrestha (Nepal) (3m) D.U.J. Sonnadara (1m) D.U.J. Sonnadara (9m) Year 84/85 85/86 2006 90/91 2006 2000 2002 2003 Research host S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ. ” ” V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. S. Israelsson, Uppsala Univ. V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. V. Coorey, Uppsala Univ. “ “ * * Funds from Asia Development Bank *** Now in group SRI:01/2 Highest Degree Obtained and Present Position Name and present position Degree Thesis Year “Remote Sensing of Lightning Return Strokes Through Mr G. Vernon Cooray PhD the Electric Radiation Fields” Prof. Uppsala Univ., Sweden 1982 Thesis defended at Uppsala Univ. Co-operation partner to the group Mr Sudalaimuthu Namasivayam PhD 1991 “Studies of Electromagnetic Fields from First and Subsequent Strokes of natural Lightning” Thesis defended at Uppsala Univ. 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 “Electromagnetic Dissociation of Relativistic Si by Nucleon Emission” Director Arthur C Clark Center for Modern Technologies, Moratuwa (now CEO, of a personal Electrical and Lightning protection company) Mr K P S C Jayaratne Senior Lecturer, Group Member Mr D. U. J. Sonnadera Prof. Group Member G. Marasinghe Associate Professor of Physics, University of North Dakota Mr G A C Gomes Senior Lecturer, Group Member Mr I M K Fernando Senior Lecturer, Group Leader Mr Ranjith Lelwala Senior Lecturer, Group Member PhD 1992 PhD 1993 PhD 1999 PhD 2001 PhD 2001 “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 “On the Nature of Lightning Flashes: With Special Attention to the Initiation, Modelling and Remote Sensing of Return Strokes” Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka “Measurements and Analysis of Fast Transient Electromagnetic Fields generated by Ground and Cloud Flashes with Special Attention to Lightning Direction Finding” Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka “Studies on the Basic Atmospheric Electrical 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 Rainfall in Sri Lanka” Research Ass., Group Member 2003 Mr P Liyanage Senior Lecturer, Group Member M. Edirisinghe Senior Lecturer, Group Member Mr Shiram Sharma, Tribhuwan Univ., Kathmandu, Nepal Lecturer, Tribhuwan Univ. PhD 2006 PhD 2007 PhD 2007 Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo “Correlation between Optical and Current Signatures with Special Attention to Remote Sensing of Lightning Flashes” Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka “Behavior of Low Voltage Surge Protective Devices in Fast Transient and Repetitive Current Impulse Environment” Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka See below Other short-term visits to co-operating research groups Scientist I. M. K. Fernando Kannangara Head of Dept. P. Liyanage Year 2007 82/83 2005 Research host Univ. of Florida, USA Uppsala Univ. Univ. of Florida, USA Visits by regional scientists Scientist M. Ahmed, Technological Assistance for Rural Advancement, Dhaka, Bangladesh K. B. Garg, Univ. of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India O. Prakash, Tribhuvan Univ., Amrit Campus, Nepal R. Shrestha, Kathmandu Year 2005 95/96 2004 95/96 Visits by non-regional co-operating scientists Scientist V. Cooray, Uppsala Univ. Year 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 M. Rubinstein, Ecole d’Ínénierie et de Gestion du Canton de Vaud, Switzerland J. de Sousa Pires, Uppsala Univ. K. Svanberg, Lund Univ. S. Svanberg, Lund Univ. H. Tammet, Univ. of Taru, Estonia Year 2007 82/83 2005 2005 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 “Electromagnetic Fields Radiated by Lightning in Tropical Mr Shiram Sharma, PhD and Temperate Regions” Tribhuwan Univ., 2007 Thesis defended at Univ. of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka Kathmandu, Nepal Lecturer, Tribhuwan Univ. Arranged Conferences and Workshops Visits by IPPS staff Staff L. Hasselgren Year 83/84, 85/86, 89/90, 90/91, 93/94, 95/96, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002 Financial support besides IPPS Institution Year Univ. of Colombo 1989 JAICA (Spectrum Analyzer, Oscilloscope, Weather Station, 1992 High Speed Camera, Chart Recorder) NARESA 1992 Univ. of Colombo 1992 NARESA 1993 JAICA (Dealy Generator, RF Intensity Meter, Sound Level 1993 Meter) NARESA 1994 Univ. Grants Commission 1994 NARESA 1996 Amount 24,800 Rs 1,350 USD 110 USD 1,400 USD 1,250 USD 2,600 USD 23,000 USD Financial support besides IPPS continues Institution Univ. Grants Commission NARESA Univ. of Colombo National Science Foundation Univ. of Colombo National Science Foundation Univ. of Colombo National Science Foundation Asian Development Bank National Science Foundation National Science Foundation National Science Foundation National Science Foundation EURECA * For two years Year Amount 1996 2,600 USD 1997 24,000 USD 1999 350 USD 1999 4,500 USD 2001 250 USD 2001 3,250 USD 2002 100 USD 2002 1,500 USD 2003 30,000 USD 2004 1,338 USD 2005 7,400 USD 2006 7,400 USD 2007 1,000 USD 2008 10,000 EURO and Fellowships * Statistical summary SRI:01/1 9 PhD (0F) 1 Mphil (1F) 4 BSc (1F) 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 TOTAL INT. J. PUBLICATIONS LOC. CONF. PhD J. REP. MSc/ MPhil STUDENTS PhD MSc Stud. Stud. 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 4 2 4 4 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 5 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 (0F) 2 (0F) 2 (1F) 1 (0F) 1 (0F) 3 (0F) 3 (0F) 3 (0F) 4 (0F) 1 (0F) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 2 3 2 22 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 26 10 10 9 5 4 3 0 10 0 11 0 11 88 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 11 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 11 0 0 0 4 (0F) 4 (0F) 3 0F) 2 (0F) 3 (1F) 4 (1F) 5 (1F) 6 (1F) 6 (1F) 6 (1F) 3 (1F) 4 (2F) 2 (1F) 2 (1F) 3 (1F) 4 (1F) 1 (0F) 1 (0F) 0 1 (0F) 1 (0F) 2 (1F) 1 (0F) 1 (0F) 14 1 (0F) 0 3 (1F) 3 (1F) 3 (1F) 2 (1F) IPPS FUNDING [kSEK] DEV. TRAIN. REG. TOT. 1 1 19 4 2 32 13 78 110 32 74 92 64 52 214 146 37 139 222 60 73 0 68 0 0 80 157 97 281 0 0 109 239 0 7 15 121 505 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 61 74 19 72 2 32 93 235 207 313 74 92 173 291 214 153 52 260 756 253 127 70 76 229 420 207 430 660 169 302 115 4390 295 343 56 179 6 142 560 183 154 345 51 264 4389 0 0 0 0 0 10 58 108 59 14 96 0 375 548 470 126 255 235 572 825 720 873 528 449 379 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 PhD Theses 7% MSc/MPhil Theses 9% International Journals 14% Conference Reports 54% Reg./Loc. Journals 16% SRI:01/1 IPPS ALLOCATIONS 1978-2008 1000 900 REG. 800 TRAIN. DEV. 700 kSEK 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 YEAR 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008 SRI:01/1 PUBLICATIONS 1978-2008 30 MSc/ MPhil 25 PhD CONF. REP. NUMBER 20 LOC. J. INT. J. 15 10 5 0 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 YEAR 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008
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