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On the modeling of electrical boundary layer (electrode layer) and derivation of atmospheric electrical profiles, eddy diffusion coefficient and scales of electrode layer

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Abstract

Electrode layer or electrical boundary layer is one of the charge generators in the global atmospheric electric circuit. In spite of this we find very few model studies and few measurements of it in the literature. Using a new technique it is shown that in this layer, the space charge density varies exponentially in vertical. A new experimental method based on the surface measurements is discussed to determine all the characteristic scales and an average electrical and meteorological state of an electrode layer. The results obtained are in good agreement with the previous studies. So, it is suggested that an exponential space charge density profile will no longer be an assumption in the case of electrode layer studies. The profiles of atmospheric electric field and electrical conductivity are also derived and a new term named as electrode layer constant is introduced.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Dr. Homi Bhaba Road, Pune, 411 008, India

    Madhuri N Kulkarni

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  1. Madhuri N Kulkarni
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Correspondence to Madhuri N Kulkarni.

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Kulkarni, M.N. On the modeling of electrical boundary layer (electrode layer) and derivation of atmospheric electrical profiles, eddy diffusion coefficient and scales of electrode layer. J Earth Syst Sci 119, 75–86 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-010-0003-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-010-0003-z

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