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Review of Instrumentation for Atmospheric Electricity

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Electrical Processes in Atmospheres

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Abstract

Some specific recent developments in instrumentation are described. The experiments chosen for discussion include some by Winn and Moore, Few, Vonnegut, Brook, Seville Chapman, and Teer and Few.

General comments deal with some of the shortcomings of measurements made under less than ideal conditions and suggest ways in which standard measurement techniques may be improved. Some areas in which new instrumentation may be developed are explored.

The physics of the radioactive probe is analysed in some detail and an expression obtained for the voltage error or driving potential. The minimum radioactivity for optimum performance is shown to be proportional to the square of the wind speed with 10 microcurie being suitable for a wind speed of 1 metre per second. The effect of excessive loading of the probe, incorrect shielding and the addition of displacement currents is discussed.

An extensive bibliography, divided into topics, attempts to provide a comprehensive reference source.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 23 Chapple Hill Road, London, Ontario, N6G 2H2, Canada

    D. R. Lane-Smith

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  1. D. R. Lane-Smith
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Washington D.C., USA

    Hans Dolezalek  & Helmut E. Landsberg  & 

  2. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

    Reinhold Reiter

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© 1976 Dr. Dietrich Steinkopff Verlag GmbH & Co. KG., Darmstadt

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Lane-Smith, D.R. (1976). Review of Instrumentation for Atmospheric Electricity. In: Dolezalek, H., Reiter, R., Landsberg, H.E. (eds) Electrical Processes in Atmospheres. Steinkopff. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-85294-7_28

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-85294-7_28

  • Publisher Name: Steinkopff

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-85296-1

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