Intermittency of turbulent aeroelectric field

On the basis of multifractal formalism with the use of a database of Borok Geophysical Observatory [58°04′ N and 38°14′ E] a complex of energy and fractal indexes of the aeroelectric field dynamics was analyzed. It is shown that in most cases the short-period (frequency band ∆f = 0.001-1 Hz) aeroelectric field pulsations possess the property of self-similarity. However the intermittency of the aeroelectric field is detected inside the time intervals of transitional conditions of the lower atmosphere. Intermittency of the aeroelectric field is characterized by non-Gaussian distributions of the aeroelectric field increments, a set of the power law of a slope index of spectral density in the frequency decade 0.01-0.1 Hz, an extension of the multifractal spectrum and a deviation of the scaling exponent from a linear dependence. In conditions of unsteady stratification the aeroelectric field pulsations are monofractal and arise in consequence of a space charge transfer by locally-isotropic homogeneous turbulence.

► We investigated turbulent properties of the atmospheric electric field. ► The fractal nature of a dynamic component of the atmospheric electric field is revealed. ► It is shown that aeroelectric field possesses property of intermittency. ► We defined the main features of an intermittency of the atmospheric electric field pulsations. ► The intermittency of the aeroelectric field pulsations is caused by anisotropic distribution of electrical space charge.