Research on the charge distribution of lightning stepped leader considering the branches

Charge distribution of the lightning stepped leader is one of the key factors for establishing the model of lightning discharge process. As lightning usually presents significant branches, it is necessary to investigate the charge distribution along the branched leader channels. Assuming that the charge density in the leader channel has a certain relation with the leader propagation length, the charge distribution of stepped leader considering the branched channels was obtained by introducing branch correlation coefficients. The calculation results of electric field at ground level based on the proposed charge distribution model are in good agreement with the measurements of a negative flash.