Characteristics of current pulses in rocket triggered lightning

Data of lightning current pulses has significant value on the research of lightning physics and lightning protection. Compared with natural lightning, rocket-triggered lightning allows direct measurement of lightning current at the bottom of the channel. Therefore, in this paper we conduct statistical analysis on current characteristics of 3 types of current pulses, including Initial Continuous Current Pulses (ICCP), M-component I and Return stroke (RS) using data from SHAndong Triggering Lightning Experiment (SHATLE) during 2005-2017. The influences of multiple M-components and ICCP on the continuous current and subsequent return stroke are studied. The results show that ICCP may have the same physical process with M-component. Multiple M-components and ICCP in the rocket-triggered lightning may hinder the generation of subsequent return stroke. Finally, intra-cloud discharge process related to M-component is discussed.