Drift velocity and longitudinal diffusion coefficient of electrons in nitrogen and carbon monoxide

Abstract

The double-shutter drift tube with variable drift distance was used to measure the drift velocity and the longitudinal diffusion coefficient of electrons in nitrogen and carbon monoxide over the range of E/N from 0.3 to 300 Td at room temperature. Overall agreement between the present longitudinal diffusion coefficients and the theoretical values given by Lowke and Parker in either gas was good, although partial deviations between them suggested possible inadequacy in our knowledge of the electron-collision cross sections of these molecules.