Atmospheric gamma-ray and neutron flashes

Gamma-ray pulses are calculated from 2D numerical simulations of an upward atmospheric discharge in a self-consistent electric field using the multigroup approach to the kinetics of relativistic runaway electrons (REs). Computed γ-ray numbers and spectra are consistent with those of terrestrial γ-ray flashes (TGFs) observed aboard spacecrafts. The RE flux is concentrated mainly within the domain of the Blue Jet fluorescence. This confirms that exactly the domain adjacent to a thundercloud is the source of the observed γ-ray flashes. The yield of photonuclear neutrons is calculated. One γ-ray pulse generates ∼10 14 –10 15 neutrons. The possibility of the direct deposition of REs to the detector readings and the origin of the lightning-advanced TGFs are discussed.