Electron-molecule collision ionization in hydrogen and deuterium

Abstract

The ionization of a gas molecule has been experimentally studied by measurement of both the electron-molecule ionization cross section in an electron beam, Q_i, and the electron ionization coefficient of an electron swarm, alpha /N. The results are presented for both hydrogen and deuterium and a comparison of the theoretical values of alpha /N, calculated from the present values of Q_i using various electron energy distribution functions, F( epsilon ), with the present experimental values of alpha /N in hydrogen, indicates which form of F( epsilon ) is most probable in this gas.