Photodetachment of electrons due to lightning optical emissions as a source of plasma irregularities necessary for sprite streamer inception

We investigate the rate of electron production due to the photodetachment effect of the lightning optical pulse on O-, O2-, OH-, and NO3- ions in the lower ionosphere. This is the first quantification of lightning effects on the lower ionospheric electron content through the photodetachment process. It is demonstrated that sufficient levels of plasma irregularities necessary for initiation of sprite streamers may be produced as a result of electron photodetachment from the negative ions in remnants of overdense meteor trails.