Monte Carlo simulation of electron thermalization in gases. VI. Microwave conductivities of He and Ar

Abstract

The transient microwave conductivity in the course of the electron thermalization in He and Ar is studied by the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). Direct comparisons of the conductivity are made between the MCS results and available experimental results obtained by the microwave absorption measurement. The measured conductivity of He does not fit the MCS one but reasonably agrees with the theoretical one based on the assumption of the Maxwellian electron velocity distribution; the conductivity of Ar obtained by the MCS reveals a rather complicated peak pattern inconsistent with the measured one. Some possible reasons for these facts are briefly discussed. It is indicated that the difference between the Margenau and alternative conductivity formulas is small for He but significant for Ar with the Ramsauer minimum.