Lichtenberg / DBM

Growth mode

Centred point source (radial) Top-to-bottom (lightning gap) Ring-source breakdown

η (eta) — branching exponent: 1.00 Grid resolution: 140 Growth steps / frame: 2 Overlay

Compare with DLA (η=0)

Stats

Modecentred

η1.00

Cluster size1

Growth steps0

Fractal dim. D–

Dielectric Breakdown Model (Niemeyer–Pietronero–Wiesmann, 1984): Laplace's equation ∇²φ = 0 is solved on a grid; cluster cells are held at φ=0, the far boundary at φ=1. A perimeter cell is chosen with probability ∝ φᵢ^η and added to the discharge.

η ≈ 1 reproduces lightning-like trees; η > 1 yields sparse needles; η → 0 fills as a blob. DLA (uniform pick) is the η = 0 limit.