The motion of electron swarms in uniform electric fields

Abstract

The theory describing the behaviour of an electron swarm moving in a uniform electric field through a low-pressure gas (p approximately=1 Torr) is reappraised in the light of recent theoretical developments. A method of experimentally investigating such swarms, both pulsed and steady stream, by a study of the photons emitted by the gas following excitation by collision with the electrons of the swarm, is analysed.