Theoretical Study of the Electron Drift Velocity in Binary Gas Mixtures with Applications to A-CO2and A-N2Mixtures

Abstract

Starting with the Boltzmann equation, a theoretical expression is developed for the electron drift velocity in a binary gas mixture. The theory reduces to that of Morse, Allis, and Lamar in the absence of one of the gases. The theory is applied to pure argon and to mixtures of A-0.1% C${\mathrm{O}}_2$, A-0.16% C${\mathrm{O}}_2$, A-1.0% C${\mathrm{O}}_2$, A-0.1% ${\mathrm{N}}_2$, A-0.5% ${\mathrm{N}}_2$, and A-1.0% ${\mathrm{N}}_2$. The theoretical drift velocity curves for A-C${\mathrm{O}}_2$ are in close agreement with experimental data, whereas the A-${\mathrm{N}}_2$ curves differ from experimental data. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.