Cracking the Code of Lightning-Produced X-rays with Mathematical Modeling.

A Penn State-led team has developed a mathematical model to explain how lightning produces X-rays. The team discovered a new physical mechanism that explains naturally occurring X-rays associated with lightning activity in the Earth's atmosphere. The model established a threshold for the electric field, which confirmed the feedback mechanism that amplifies the electron avalanches when X-rays emitted by the electrons travel backward and generate new electrons. The researchers said their work may eventually help to design new X-ray sources.