Electron Velocity Distribution Function in High Frequency Alternating Fields Including Electronic Interactions

Abstract

The Boltzmann transport equation has been solved for the electronic velocity distribution function in a high frequency gas discharge. The distribution is examined as a function of the electron density. The conductivity is computed for two electron-molecule cross sections, one, in which the cross section is inversely proportional to the electron velocity and two, in which the cross section is independent of electron energy. The results show the extension of Margenau's distribution to high densities.