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Extremely low frequency electromagnetic energy in the

air

Hans W Giertz

Uppsa Research, Leksandsv. 23, SE-167 75 Bromma, Sweden

Corresponding author: Hans W Giertz, Uppsa Research, Leksandsv. 23, SE-167 75 Bromma,

Sweden.

E-mail:hans@miklagaard.com.

This paper was originally published in Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics 72 (2010) 767-773.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2010.03.022

Abstract

The present paper reveals that the air contains electromagnetic energy of extremely low frequency,

low amplitude as well as of a low phase speed. The energy is of great interest because of its impacton certain biological processes. It is created by the interaction of two well known phenomena. Therotation of the earth generates 24-hour periods currents in the magnetosphere, known as theBirkeland currents. The currents generate transverse electromagnetic waves (EM waves)propagating parallel to the geomagnetic field lines. Furthermore, the air and the earth crust containelectrons caused by the global electric circuit. The electric field vectors of the EM waves exert aforce on these electrons, causing them to oscillate and thus generate currents of extremely lowfrequency both in the air and in the earth crust. A theoretical model of the system is presented andmeasurement techniques are described. Measurements have been performed during a six yearperiod. The results of the performed measurements verified the theoretical model. Impact onbiological processes is discussed.

Keywords:ELF; ELF EM waves; Atmospheric electricity; resonance in the air

1. Introduction

Some biological processes in humans, asreported by several authors (Forrester et al.,2007; Funk et al., 2009; Levin, 2007), areinfluenced by electromagnetic energy ofextremely low frequency (ELF), while othersare based on the subtle charge of a few

elementary charges (MacKinnon et al., 2000;Ashcroft, 2000; Unwin, 1995). Some of these

processes occur at extremely low amplitudeof the current ( 1 pA) and have therefore

been impossible to measure using state-of-the-art methods. One reason for this is thatthese processes are created by aphenomenon, previously considered unlikelyto occur, namely: electromagnetic waves ofconduction current in the air, i.e. a current.

The basic theory of a current in the air, how

mailto:hans@miklagaard.commailto:hans@miklagaard.commailto:hans@miklagaard.comhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2010.03.022http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2010.03.022http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2010.03.022mailto:hans@miklagaard.com

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it is generated and measured, is described inthis paper.

The first part of the paper describes howplane transverse electromagnetic waves (EMwaves) are created (generally called radio

waves). The earth rotates in the sun wind,thus generating currents in themagnetosphere, propagating towards theearth, known as the Birkeland currents,comprising a 24-hour period (Potemra, 1978;Stern, 1993; Tsyganenko et al., 1993). Thecurrents in turn generate plane transverse EMwaves, also displaying a 24-hour periodaccording to Maxwells equation (Bleaney,

1965) and propagating along thegeomagnetic field lines. In the present paper,the EM waves were measured using a novel

method, based on the force exerted on acharge and the back reaction force on the EMwaves (Melrose and McPhedran, 1991).

The second part of the paper describes howthe EM waves create electromagnetic wavesof conduction current, i.e. currents, in the air.Air contains approximately 500 pC/m3electrons originating from lightning; this isdescribed by a process called the globalelectric circuit (Adlerman and Williams, 1996;Israel, 1973; Rycroft et al., 2000). Chargeconditions close to ground have previouslybeen reported by Israelsson (1994) andIsraelsson et al. (1994). EM wavespropagating through a medium having chargedensity exert a force on the medium(Bostrom and Fahleson, 1974; Melrose andMcPhedran, 1991), making electrons drifthorizontally in 24-hour periods of oscillatingmotions. Air is an adaptive medium (i.e. itscharge is able to change position), resultingin electrons accumulating (-q), depleting (q)and electrons (i.e. a current) propagating

between the charges forming oscillatingelectric dipoles (forced damped oscillators)(Stratton, 1941). The resonance period isequal to the dipole time constant (Bleaney,1965). An adaptive medium strives to attainresonance and the absorbed energy in themedium is maximized. The electric dipolesare supplied with electrons (charge) from theglobal electric circuit, a process thatcontinues until the dipoles are in resonancewith the applied energy. From that point,surplus charge drifts towards the

atmosphere, known as the vertical currentdensity in the global electric circuit model

(Israel, 1973). Magnetic induction, accordingto the Biot-Savart law, causes currents topropagate in a stable way in the air.

The third part of the paper describes how acurrent in the air is measured using a novel

technique, based on the force, according toCoulombs law, acting on the charge in aprobe.

2. Theoretical model

The phenomena described in the presentpaper are, on a theoretical level, identical tothe principles of radio transmission, althoughfrequency and medium are different. Radiotransmission works as follows. Thetransmitter generates a current in the

transmitter antenna. This current generatesplane transverse EM waves in the air (radiowaves) consisting of oscillating electric andmagnetic field vectors. The electric fieldvectors exert a force on electrons in thereceiver antenna, thus generating a current.This current acts on a forced dampedoscillator, creating resonance when thenatural (resonance) frequency of theoscillator equals the frequency of the appliedenergy.

Air conducts at a very low current density.Consequently, the conductors (antennas) inthe above example can be substituted usinganother medium: air. Forced dampedoscillators can be implemented in numerousways, e.g. as LC circuits in radios or asoscillating dipoles in the air. The electricequivalent of the dipoles in the air is a serialLC circuit having low impedance at its naturalfrequency. The theoretical model thenbecomes as follows:

The rotating earth generates currents (i.e.

Birkeland currents) in the magnetosphere.These currents generate plane transverse EMwaves in the air. The electric field vectorsexert a force on electrons in the air,generating currents in the air. These currentsact on forced damped oscillators in the air(i.e. oscillating dipoles) creating resonance inthe air. At resonance the impedance of theair (i.e. the oscillating dipoles) is low andconsequently the absorbed energy or currentis maximized and at the same time theinternal loss within the oscillating dipoles is

minimized, following the principles of forcedoscillations as described by Bleaney (1965).

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3. Plane transverse EM waves

This part describes plane transverseelectromagnetic waves, called EM waves,having a 24-hour period. The sun windcontains, among other things, electrons

creating a current density in themagnetosphere, which in turn creates currentdensity Jpropagating along the geomagneticfield lines. J is influenced by the earthsrotation and thus Jhas a 24-hour period. It iscalled the Birkeland currents and wasdescribed and modeled by Potemra (1978),Stern (1993) and Tsyganenko et al. (1993).According to Maxwells equation, the

relationship between the current density J,the electric induction D and the magneticfield strength H(Bleaney, 1965) is:

curl H= J+D/t (1)

The solution to curl H = D/t is planetransverse EM waves having a 24-hourperiod. The EM waves consist of orthogonalelectric field vectors EFV and magnetic fieldvectors BFV as illustrated in Fig. 1. The EMwaves are almost static and therefore there isan almost static force Fbetween BFVand thegeomagnetic field BGM:

F= cBGM BFV (2)

This force makes the EM waves propagateparallel to the geomagnetic field lines, whileBFV is directed perpendicular to BGM anddirected towards north (on the northernhemisphere). The electric field vectors EFVare directed horizontally east-west, since EFVis orthogonal to BFV (Bleaney, 1965).

BFV

EFV

700

S N

24-hour periods transverse

EM wavesGeomagnetic

fieldlines

Note; 700 in Sweden

BGM

Side view

Figure 1. The 24-hour periods transverse EMwaves propagate parallel to the geomagnetic field

lines.

A novel technique was developed and usedwhen measuring the EM waves. Planetransverse EM waves, having electric fieldvectors EFV passing a medium with chargedensity , exert a force Fon the medium asdescribed by Melrose and McPhedran (1991):

F=EFV (3)

The force exerts an equally large backreaction force on EFV and the EM waves andthis gives the EM waves a change of impulse.This impulse acts in the same direction during12 hours; thus the EM waves changedirection.

An electrode, connected to a voltage sourceU, was positioned in the air, creating anegative charge -q as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The force on -q generated a back reactionforce and change of impulse on the electricfield vectors EFV. Many EM waves werediverted towards -q. The EM waves werecoherent (synchronized to the rotation of theearth) and polarized (according to Eq. (2))and as a result, the EM waves were superpositioned (Chen, 1985) and their fieldvectors, EFV respectively BFV, added linearlyand formed amplified field vectors E and Bclose to -q which were measured with theinstrument described in chapter 5. However,

they may also be measured with E- and B-field probes. Achieved data were as follows:at U= 10 V, -q 300 pC and E 10EFV andB 10BFV. EFV and BFV could be amplifiedabout 50 times (at U= 50 - 100 V). Whencalculating -q, the charge density of the airmust be considered.

-q

Top view

-

+

EFV

E

U

BFV

B

EM waves

Figure 2.The back reaction force on the electricfield vectors EFV,created by the charge -q, diverteda large number of EM waves towards the charge

and the field vectors added to high amplitude

electric field vectors Eand magnetic field vectors

B.

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Measured values in Stockholm, Sweden wereEFV = 3-10 V/m (i.e. measured with theinstrument described in chapter 5) and fromthis, BFVwas calculated to 10-30 nT using thewell known relationship B=E/c where c is thespeed of light (Bleaney, 1965). The nodes

occurred at exactly 0013and 1213 (GMT + 1h). The EM waves were almost square waveshaped, as illustrated in Fig. 3, disclosing thatthe EM waves contained harmonics (seeMelrose and McPhedran, 1991). The EMwaves furthermore contained non-periodicfluctuations, illustrated in Fig. 3, probablycaused by fluctuations in the magnetosphereor ionosphere currents. The EM waves werealso correlated with the position of the moon.It was assumed that during full moon themagnetosphere was disturbed, creatingdisturbances in the EM waves, causingcomplete loss during some hours. Stern(2007,pers. com) confirms that the Birkelandcurrents are disturbed during full moon.

0000 1200 0000

TIME

AMPLITUDENON PERIODIC FLUCTUATIONS

+

_

1130 1213 1230

Figure 3. The amplitude of the 24-hour periodstransverse EM waves.

One interesting phenomenon is illustrated inFig. 4. Two electrodes, connected to avoltage source (e.g. 9 V) were positioned

vertically in the air, comprising an electricdipole -q/q. Electrons drifted from thenegative charge to the positive chargecreating a current I (5). EM waves (1)diverted towards the negative charge, -q,according to Eq. 3 with the positive side of Eclose to the charge, as illustrated in Fig. 2,followed by a diversion towards the positivecharge, q, with the negative side of Eclose tothe positive charge. After that, they resumedtheir original direction (4). The current I (5)and the current element ds exerted a force

dFon the magnetic field vectors B (Bleaney,1965):

dF= IdsxB (4)

The force Fwas directed perpendicular to Bmaking the field vectors propagate in a bow(3) and where the distance was proportionalto I (5) and B. In addition, Bwas influenced

by the geomagnetic field and thus the bowwas always directed towards north (on thenorthern hemisphere). The two charges,distanced by the vector length s,created anelectric dipole moment (Bleaney, 1965):

p= qs (5)

An electric dipole pin a homogenous electricfield E was influenced by a force pair mF(Bleaney, 1965):

mF= pxE (6)

Equations (4) and (6) were not correct for in-homogenous electric E and magnetic B fieldvectors; however, they may be used forapproximate calculations. The force pair mFthus exerted a force on E, perpendicular tothe dipole p and E and combined with theirmomentum, making the field vectorspropagate in many one turn helixes (2)around the dipole p, as illustrated in Fig. 4(only one helix is illustrated).

-q

q

E

B

1

32

4

I 5

NS

Side view

Figure 4. Two charges, - q and q, diverted EMwaves (1) and the EM waves were split into theirelectric field vectors propagating in a helix (2) and

their magnetic field vectors propagating in a bow

(3) towards north.

The radius of each helix was approximatelyproportional to the amplitude of the EMwaves (1) and to the charges -q/q. Thus,extremely small currents (10 fA) and dipole

charges ( 50 pC) in the air could be

measured by measuring the deviation of E(2) and B(3). The 24-hour period EM waves

could be measured with high accuracy ( +/-5%) using a fixed dipole in the air.

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In consequence, it was possible to measurethe transverse EM waves using two non-correlated techniques.

4. Current in the air

The global electric circuit describes howlightning transfers electrons to the earthcrust and the 250 kV potential between theionosphere and earth crust transfers chargeback to the atmosphere, resulting in the aircontaining approximately 500 pC/m3electrons. This process was described andmodeled by Adlerman and Williams (1996),Israel (1973), Israelsson (1994), Israelssonet al. (1994) and Rycroft et al. (2000).According to Eq. (3), EM waves havingelectric field vectors EFV, exert a force EFV

on charge density (electrons) in the air,thereby making electrons drift in oscillatingmotions, creating current density Jas well asa current in the air. From now on a current inthe air is called IAir. Electrons in the air mayaccumulate (-q) and deplete (q) and drift(IAir). Two charges -q/q at some distancefrom each other and with IAir in betweencomprise a forced damped oscillator havingthe time constant q/IAir. Note that period andtime constant is used throughout the paperinstead of frequency (which is equivalent),the reason being that the phenomenadescribed are synchronized to the earthsrotation having a 24 hour period. Forceddamped oscillators oscillate (are inresonance) when the time constant q/IAirequals the period of the applied transverseEM waves (or harmonics). Air is an adaptivemedium and as a consequence, rather free ofits charge distribution. An adaptive mediumstrives to minimize the amount of absorbedenergy, i.e. the oscillators adapt their charge

until they establish resonance with theapplied energy. The global electric circuitsupplies the air as well as the oscillators withcharge until the oscillators acquire timeconstants, q/IAir, and thereby creatingresonance and from that point on surpluscharge is transferred to the atmosphere. Thissurplus charge has previously been measured

as vertical current density (1-3 pA/m2) in theglobal electric circuit (Israel, 1973). Thus, theresonance mechanism is self-regulating.

The measurements performed in the presentstudy confirmed that the resonance

mechanism consisted of oscillators that wereorganized into a 3D matrix of mutuallycoupled oscillators. The 3D matrix exhibited alogical structure and consisted of a singlerepetitive basic element: four chargesorganized into a horizontal quadrant asillustrated in Fig. 5; two charges, -q and q(6), and the current IAir (7) between thecharges comprised one oscillator; fourcharges comprised four oscillators (mutuallycoupled and oscillating in two dimensions).The starting point of the 3D matrix was one

quadrant oscillating at 24-hour periods,consisting of a quadrant of four oscillatorshaving 24-hour periods, each denoted 240 inFig. 6. This quadrant was divided into fournew quadrants, each containing fouroscillators, denoted 241, and oscillating at24/21 = 12-hour periods. Each of thesequadrants was divided into four newquadrants, each containing four oscillators,denoted 242, oscillating at 24/2

2 = 6-hourperiods. This pattern continued until a finemeshed grid was created. The process was

non-linear, producing large amount ofharmonics.

7

6

q

q-q

-q

S

N

Top view

IAir

Figure 5. Two charges (6) and current IAir (7)formed one oscillator. Four charges and four IAir

formed a quadrant of four coupled oscillators that

oscillated in two dimensions.

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240

242

241

241

240

243

247

248

249~4.5 meter

N

S

242

242

242

244242240 241 240

245

241 243

244

243

242244

245

Top view

Figure 6.The 24-hour periods 2D grid.

The pattern was, furthermore, repeated infour directions forming a large 2D grid asillustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 should beinterpreted in the following way. The linedenoted 240 consisted of a long chain ofoscillators (q, -q, q, -q, qetc.) having 24/20

hour periods and oscillators having 24/21,24/22 etc. -hour periods were superpositioned there. Altogether 240 consisted ofa chain of super positioned oscillators andsuper positioned currents, IAir, having 24/2

n,n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, .... -hour periods. The 241consisted of a chain of super positionedoscillators and super positioned currents, IAir,having 24/2n, n = 1, 2, 3, 4, .... -hourperiods and so it continued. Thus, electronsin the IAirhad to bridge only the distance ofthe shortest oscillator/dipole in the chain (i.e.

approximately 4.5 m), which explains thestability with which a current, exhibitingextremely long periods, was transported inair.

According to the Biot-Savart law themagnetic induction Bat the distance rfrom acurrent I (i.e. IAir) and the current element dsis (Bleaney, 1965):

B= (0/4) Idsxr/r3 (7)

The generalized Eq. (7) uses the current

density J,integrating over the volume v:

B= (0/4) (Jxr/r3)dv (8)

The current density J induced a magneticfield Band according to Eq. (8), the magneticfield B increased with volume v. The normalstate is where Bwas minimized causing the

electrons and a current IAir (or current densityJ) to propagate in a narrow flow or a narrowcurrent tube. In the present study, the

measured diameter of the electron flow,using the method described in chapter 5, was 1 cm. The electron drift velocity in air is

approximately 20 m/s (Israel, 1973),implying that collisions between electronsand air molecules created little scattering andminor loss.

The air contained one horizontally positioned2D grid approximately 1 meter above ground

and then (vertically) every 3 meters wasanother (phase shifted) horizontal 2D grid.Fig. 7 illustrates how layers of 2D grids (8)formed a 3D matrix (9).Some nodes showedresonance in the vertical direction. Thisresulted in the horizontal 2D grids beingconnected (and mutually stabilized) byvertical oscillators and vertical currents IAir(10). The 3D matrix oscillated in 3dimensions.

The first odd harmonic having 24/3 = 8-hour

periods created similar 2D grids, orientedeast-west (i.e. 45 degrees to the 24-hour 2D

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grids) having oscillators at 24/32n hourperiods. The two grids emanated from thesame 24-hour periods EM waves and weretherefore in phase in some nodes. Thesesnodes contained a vertical IAir (10) andvertical oscillators, oscillating at 24/2n and

24/32n hour periods. Therefore, the twogrids were linked by mutual resonance,creating a common 3D matrix. Consequently,the 3D matrix oscillated in three dimensionsand in many modes. The structure wascomplex but logical. The 3D matrix containedharmonics with periods 24/m2nhour, m = 1,3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and n = 0-18, i.e.harmonics in the 0-10 Hz range.

N

S

89

10

Figure 7. Quadrants of current and oscillatorscreated 2D grids. Horizontal layers of 2D grids (8)

formed a 3D matrix (9). The 3D matrix was

stabilized by current and oscillators in the vertical

plane (10).

IAirwas measured as described in chapter 5.The IAiramplitude (approximately 0.1 1 pA)depended on its position within the 3Dmatrix, as well as where 240 had highamplitude and 249had low amplitude. Fig. 8shows the measured IAir amplitude, denoted

247 in Fig. 6, which contained 24/2n hourperiods, n = 7, 8, 9 The shape of the wave,

illustrated in Fig. 8, was caused by harmonicsin IAir. It was measured using the method andinstrument described in chapter 5 and themeasurement (amplitude) precision was +/- 5 %.

0.2

0

2 4 8Time [minutes]

IAir [pA]

6

.

. .

.

..

..

.

.

.

.. .

.

..

..

..

. .

.

.

.

10

- 0.2

7

Figure 8. The amplitude of IAiras a function of thetime. IAirhad 24/2

7 hour periods = 11.25 minutes

(247in Fig. 6).

Vertical currents IAir (10) propagated from

the earth crust into the air and the resonancemechanism in the earth crust was studied inunderground garages and pits. The 24-hourperiods transverse EM waves had extremelylong wavelength and thus they propagatedfar into the earth crust. The earth crustcontains electrons and the transverse EMwaves created a force on the electronsmaking them oscillate with 24-hour periodsand harmonics. The measured electron driftvelocity in stone was approximately 6 cm/s inthe present study. At an extremely low

current (current density) the wave velocitywas equal to the drift velocity (v) of theelectrons and the current may be describedas wave propagation in one dimensioncreating standing waves with node distances:

/2 = v246060/2n, n = 1, 2, 3, 4. (9)

It was concluded that this created a 3Dresonance mechanism in the earth crust,similar to the 3D matrix in the air anddisplaying the same dimensions. However,the wave propagations and the resonancemechanisms differed. The resonancemechanism in the earth crust was stabilizedby a memory mechanism created by theorientation of the atoms electron spin

(similar to magnetic memory as described byBleaney (1965)). This was confirmed in thepresent study, by positioning a stone in theair, whereby a current IAir propagated throughthe stone. The current probably changed theelectron spin of the atoms and the electronspin persisted. The position of the stone was

then changed and the IAir changed directionaccordingly, continuing to propagate throughthe stone in the previous direction. This was

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a consequence of the force, according to Eq.(2), between the magnetic field created bythe electron spin and the induced magneticfield created by the current according to Eq.(7). The 3D matrix in the earth crust and inthe air were measured over a six year period

and found extremely stable; it was hard

wired in the sense that the electron spin

determined the resonance in the earth crustand the resonance in the air wassynchronized into resonance in the earthcrust (i.e. by the vertical IAir (10)), creating asimilar 3D matrix. Consequently, thedimensions and node distances of the 3Dmatrix in the air was determined by Eq. (9).

Measurements performed in the presentstudy showed that the 3D matrix in the air

vanished in heavy rain. However, resonancepersisted in the earth crust and the verticalcurrents (10) dissolved approximately 2 mabove ground. Rain with its ions changed thesubtle equilibrium of charge in the air anddisabled the formation of dipoles. Highcontent of ions (e.g. at thunder storms) hada similar effect. The 3D matrix in the airrecovered amazingly fast, withinapproximately 0.5-1 hour, depending on typeand severity of the disturbance. The followingwas observed: the resonance started in the

vicinity of the vertical currents (10) and thenoscillators and IAir slowly spread in threedimensions. Thus, the driving force was thestable resonance in the earth crust andresonance in the air was consequentlyinitiated and stabilized by the resonance inthe earth crust. In the present study,measurements of the 24-hour periods EMwaves, the IAir and the 3D matrix wereperformed more than hundred times over asix year period, mainly in Stockholm, Swedenbut also on the country side 60 km south of

Stockholm in an area having littleelectromagnetic disturbance (e.g. powerlines, radio transmitters). Continuousmeasurements were repeatedly made, atdaytime, in one hour intervals during oneweek and sometimes at night during fullmoon. In the present study, measurementswere also made in North and South America,north, south, east and west Europe, in theMiddle East and in Asia, confirming thepresence of the 24-hour periods EM waves,the IAir and the 3D-matrix. The 3D matrix inthe air and in the earth crust probably spansover all continents. In the earth crust, the 3D

matrix was probably created, fine tuned andmaintained during hundreds of millions ofyears. The process of creating such acomplicated resonance mechanism wasprobably slow. However, once created itshould be stable, automatically repairing

itself when disturbed, as long as itcontinuously is supplied with energy havingconstant period, i.e. the rotation of the earth.

5. Measurement techniques

The behavior of a current in the air isillustrated in Fig. 9. Two electrodes (16) and(17) were positioned in the air spaced somedistance (e.g. 2 m) from each other andconnected, via wires, to a low frequencysignal generator (18). This created an electric

field E between the electrodes. Air hadconductivity and the electric field Ecreatedcurrent density J according to Ohms law,(Bleaney, 1965):

J = E (10)

According to Eq. (7) and Eq. (8) the currentdensity J propagated as a current tube inthe air, i.e. as IAir. This was confirmed bymeasurements carried out using theinstrument described in Fig. 10.

I2 13

17

I1 11

16

18

d1 12

d2 14

BEXT

15

Figure 9. Two electrodes connected to a generatorcreated a current which was split into its two

components I1(11) and I2(13) propagating at the

distance d1(12) respectively d2(14) caused by the

magnetic field BEXT(15).

According to Eq. (4) the force dFexerted onan element of wire ds, carrying a current I(i.e. IAir) in an external magnetic field, BExt,may be expressed as dF = I(dsxBExt). This isillustrated in Fig. 9. In the following

experiment an external magnetic field BExt(15) was created using a permanent magnet.

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It exerted a force on the current which madeelectrons, i.e. the current component I1(11)propagating in one direction, divert thedistance d1 (12) to one side. It madeelectrons, i.e. the current component I2(13)propagating in the opposite direction, divert

the distance d2 (14) to the opposite side. Itwas found that d1and d2were proportional tothe currents and to the magnetic field BExt.Precise measurement of parameters such asamplitude, period and phase were made bymeasuring the deviation d1 (12) of I1 (11)and d2 (14) of I2(13). Hence, only thepresence of charge in the air and its positionas function of the time was of interest andfrom that information the instant amplitude,phase and period could be obtained. Thisfacilitated measurement of an extremely lowamplitude current ( 10 fA) at arbitrary

speed with precision +/- 5 %.

A magnetic field BExt (e.g. a permanentmagnet) was inserted within the IAirin the 3Dmatrix and it created the same phenomenon.The IAircontained harmonics, comprising verylong periods and the instant amplitude wasmeasured as the distances d1and d2enablingprecise measurements of the IAir. Thus, theinstant amplitude of the IAirwas measured bysimply determining the position of its current

components as function of the time and fromthis information phase, periods and contentof harmonics could be deducted.

The current IAirand its components I1and I2were measured using the following method:I1 (and I2) consisted of electrons and thecharge density was significantly higherwithin I1 compared to the surrounding air.Thus, the I1represented an abrupt change ofcharge. The I1 may be described asdistributed charges qk. The force F between

charges qp and charges qk in I1 having thedistance r followed Coulombs law (Bleaney,1965):

F= qpqkr/40r3 (11)

Modified for many charges:

F=qpqkrk/40rk3 (12)

Fig. 10 illustrates how a current in the airwas measured. A short wire, called a probe(19), was utilized. The probe contained thecharges qp and the probe was moved

through I, I1or I2. This created an impulse onthe charges qp, resulting in a current pulse.

The probe was connected to a high gain JFETamplifier (20), the pulse was band passfiltered (21) to remove AC and DC noise andfurther amplified (22), while the pulse wasA/D converted and the digitized pulse wasstored and displayed (23).

JFET

19 20 21 22 23

Figure 10. Charge meter consisted of a probe(19), a high gain amplifier (20), a band pass filter

(21), an amplifier (22) and a display (23).

Fig. 11 shows how the input stage (20) wasimplemented. Fig. 12 shows themeasurement accuracy using this instrument.The position of I, I1 and I2 was measuredwithin +/- 5 mm. The peak deviation of d1and d2was approximately 1-2 m (depending

on arrangement) and thus the measurementprecision was +/- 5 % and at high currentamplitudes +/- 1 %.

10 M

470 K

1 nF

220 nF

TL 082C

30 M 10 K

10 K

100K47F

+9V

PROBE

To next

amplifier+

- 100 nF

Figure 11. The input stage in Fig. 10 consisted ofprobe, JFET amplifier and band pass filter.

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# 7

# 3

- 2 - 1 + 1

Position of current edge [ mm ]

Measurement number [ # ]

0

# 5

# 1 ....

..

..

+ 2

Figure 12. Eight measured positions of the edgeof the current I1 or I2 in Fig. 9. The probe was

moved sideways into the current.

Measurements may also be made without

using a magnetic field BExt (15) and theamplitude of the generated current pulse ismeasured. However, this method issignificantly less accurate (i.e. estimated

+/- 25 %) and was not used in the presentstudy.

The force Facting on a charge qhaving thespeed vin an electric field E and a magneticfield B(Bleaney, 1965) is:

F = q(E+ vxB) (13)

This implies that the charge q in the probe(19) was influenced by external electric andmagnetic fields. This relationship wasexploited and the electric field vectors EFVand magnetic field vectors BFV in Fig. 2 andFig. 4 were measured using the instrumentdescribed in Fig. 10. The positions (andamplitudes) of E (2) and B (3) in Fig. 4 weredetermined with a precision +/- 5 %. Theamplitude of the EM waves in Fig. 3 wasmeasured in this way.

Trying to measure the IAirwith conventional

methods is pointless. The speed of thecurrent is 107times slower than the speed oflight and its electrons tunnel through

almost any matter including capacitors andsemiconductors. This may be the reason whythe phenomena described in this paper havenot been reported previously.

6. Discussion and conclusions

The electromagnetic processes described inthis paper displayed extremely low frequencyand amplitude. Furthermore, the speed of thecurrent, IAir, was extremely low (i.e. 20 m/s).

It is far from obvious how such processesmay be described and measured and it is notobvious that such processes may havescientific value. This may explain the totalabsence of scientific reports in this area.

However, the fact that these processes arequasi-stationary enabled development ofnovel measurement techniques, which in turnenabled measurements of plane transverseEM waves as well as current in the air.

These new techniques provide tools for betterunderstanding of electromagnetic processesin the atmosphere, the magnetosphere andperhaps the ionosphere. EM waves,originating from the magnetosphere may nowbe monitored in a novel way and theinfluence of magnetosphere and perhapsionosphere fluctuations may now bemeasured using a new technique. The modeldescribed in this paper suggests that a largepart of the charge (i.e. electrons in the IAir) inthe air close to ground is locked into the 3Dresonance system. This charge cannot beregistered by the methods presently used ingeophysics. This discovery may lead toimprovements of the model used in the globalelectric circuit.

At some locations, the IAir amplitude was

high. This occurred in particular where the IAirpropagated vertically from the ground (10).The IAir contained charges in its nodes (i.e.dipoles) and therefore the EM waves werediverted according to Fig. 4. In the presentstudy experiments were performed on anumber of persons: the palm of the hand wasmoved through the IAir, E and B. Manypersons were able to perceive the IAir, EandBas tickling feelings in the hand and all threeenergies (i.e. IAir, Eand B), were perceived ina similar way. The common denominator was

probably the force F, according to Eq. (12)and Eq. (13), acting on electrons in the hand,creating a current pulse. And it is a wellknown fact that a current can be perceived.Thus, the IAir may influence at least onebiological process.

Some biological processes in human beings,as reported by Forrester et al. (2007), Funket al. (2009) and Levin (2007) are influencedby extremely low frequency electromagneticenergy and some processes are based on the

subtle charge of a few electrons as reportedby MacKinnon et al. (2001), Ashcroft (2000)

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and Unwin (1995). The methods described inthis paper enables for the very first timemeasurements of extremely low amplitudecurrent, using air as conductor. Moreover, itenables measurements of biologicalprocesses exhibiting amplitudes far below

(i.e. one to two magnitudes below) state-of-the-art techniques. A parallel study has beenperformed which will be presented elsewhere.The measurements carried out in that study,unveiled that the IAirhad a significant impacton biological processes in a number oforganisms (i.e. trees/plants and animalsincluding insects, reptiles, birds andmammals). It was possible to measure theresponse of biological processes as functionof the IAir parameters such as period andamplitude. This facilitated a theoreticalmodel of the biological processes which wasthen verified using achieved data. It was alsopossible to selectively induce changes inbiological processes by injecting IAir,comprising specific periods, facilitating abetter understanding of the impact of IAir, andlow frequency electromagnetic energy ingeneral, on human beings and otherorganisms.

Enhanced understanding of atmosphericelectricity close to ground evidently has a

significant scientific value and will mostprobably have an impact on biology andmedicine.

Acknowledgement

I thank Professor Sven Israelsson, EarthSciences, Uppsala University, Sweden, forvaluable help in understanding atmosphericelectricity.

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