Caitano L. da Silva

Caitano L. da Silva serves as Associate Professor of Physics at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech), affiliated with the Department of Physics and Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research. His work bridges atmospheric sciences, space physics, and plasma dynamics with experimental and computational approaches.

His research centers on atmospheric and space electricity phenomena, including thunderstorm effects on near-Earth space, lightning physics, electrical discharge plasma modeling, and space plasma wave analysis. Key interests involve narrow bipolar events, sprite dynamics, X-ray/gamma-ray emissions from lightning, and computational tools for geophysical data interpretation. His team investigates high-energy atmospheric processes through laboratory experiments and field measurements.

Recent publications (2021-2024) reveal dominant trends in lightning initiation mechanisms, runaway electron production, and electromagnetic wave propagation. Work frequently combines neuromorphic sensors, Geant4 simulations, and 3D interferometry to study high-energy radiation from leaders and sprite current-morphology relationships. The research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between plasma physics and atmospheric electricity.

Dr. da Silva leads an active research group at Langmuir Laboratory, mentoring students evidenced by underlined co-authorships in publications. His team collaborates internationally on projects involving rocket-triggered lightning experiments, narrow bipolar event analysis, and ionospheric disturbance studies. The NY Times featured his 2023 research on lightning-related space phenomena.