Preliminary results for spectrographic lightning arc measurements

This paper outlines preliminary results from a passive optical spectrographic system operating in the ultraviolet to near-infrared range. The system was developed at the Morgan-Botti Lightning Laboratory, Cardiff University, to examine lightning and its interaction with materials, with a focus on its application to aerospace grade carbon composites. The lightning laboratory spectrographic system and a complimentary passive transient light measurement system are described. Two studies are presented: the spectrographic system was used to obtain data from three different lightning arc waveforms, and the spectrographic system and transient light measurement was used to obtain data from lightning strikes to three different materials; aluminium, carbon fibre reinforced polymer, and carbon fibre reinforced polymer with perforated copper foil and paint. The potential for the technique to offer additional data, an insight into material degradation mechanisms, and an estimate of energy are discussed.