Electrical and Thermal Currents in a Slightly Ionized Gas

Abstract

In this communication, the author has solved the Boltzmann equation for electrons in a slightly ionized gas under the influence of an electric field (ac+dc), a magnetic field and temperature gradient. Expressions for the electrical and thermal currents have been obtained in terms of integrals having collision frequency and $f_0$, the isotropic part of the distribution function, in the integrand. A differential equation for $f_0$ has been set up and analytical expressions obtained under simplifying assumptions. The application of the analysis to transport properties and electromagnetic wave propagation has also been indicated.