Lichtenberg Figures

This algorithm was developed in an attempt to best simulate the behaviour of an electric current travelling through an inhomogeneous, insulating material following dielectric breakdown.

The folder Source Codes (Attempt 1) contains Python scripts of my first attempt. After working on the single-branch algorithm, I mistakenly implemented depth-first search (DFS) rather than breadth-first search (BFS) for my multi-branch algorithm (I'm no CS major). In the end, my friend Shan Gao helped me develop the final, multi-branch BFS version of this algorithm.

The folder Animations (Attempt 1) contains a few animations from certain versions of this first attempt. Unfortunately, the patterns generated in this attempt appear unphysical and do not at all resemble Lichtenberg figures.

The folder Source Codes (Attempt 2) contains Python scripts of my latest attempt. For this attempt, I decided to actually read some papers about diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) and the dielectric breakdown model (DBM). The papers I used as references are mentioned below. I then wrote two different algorithms: the single-tree algorithm and the double-tree algorithm.

The folder Animations (Attempt 2) contains a few selected animations from certain versions of this second attempt. The patterns generated in this attempt are much more realistic and finally resemble Lichtenberg figures.

Authors

• @epa058
• @kosan

Acknowledgements

Thanks Andrew! Thanks Oscar! Thanks Sebastian! Thanks Fernando! Thanks Shan! *applause*

Example (Algorithm v4.0.0 (1))

Documentation

Here: Discount Documentation

Real References

• L. Niemeyer, L. Pietronero, and H. J. Wiesmann, "Fractal Dimensions of Dielectric Breakdown," Physical Review Letters, vol. 52, no. 12, pp. 1033-1036, 1984.
• L. Pietronero and H. J. Wiesmann, "Stochastic Model for Dielectric Breakdown," Journal of Statistical Physics, vol. 36, pp. 909-916, 1984.
• A. A. Tsonis and J. B. Elsner, "Fractal Characterization and Simulation of Lightning," Beiträge zur Physik der Atmosphäre, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 187-192, 1987.

Related

• Yale: Diffusion-Limited Aggregation
• chromia: lichtenberg
• goedel-gang: lightning
• neut: neutenpoel
• stompchicken: lichtenberg

License

GNU General Public License v3.0

Features

• Create your own custom grids!
• Choose your own starting positions! (you no longer get to do this with the new algorithms because I said so)
• Live animations!

That's about it :/

FAQ

Q: Why did you start this project?

A: A while back, I saw a few people on YouTube making Lichtenberg figures on wood and thought that it looked cool. Since I didn't lack a sufficient amount of self-preservation, I thought it'd be a better idea to simulate it on the computer instead.

Q: Your figures don't really look like Lichtenberg figures...

A: That was a valid criticism back in 2022. Now you're just being picky.

Q: What do I do when I'm asked whether I want to include anisotropies?

A: Say no, please say no. I'm working on that.

Q: Why can we no longer set our own starting positions for algorithms v3 and v4?

A: Because I said so.

Feedback

If you have any feedback, I'd like to hear it! Here's my email: epa058@gmail.com