Transport Coefficients and Cross Sections in Argon and Hydrogen-Argon Mixtures

Abstract

Using a method described previously the distribution function of electron energies for electrons in argon and mixtures of hydrogen and argon has been obtained by a numerical solution of the Boltzmann equation which takes into account elastic and inelastic collisions. By taking appropriate averages over the distribution function, the electron drift velocity $w$, magnetic drift velocity ${w}_{M}$, and characteristic energy ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{K}$ are computed. A comparison of calculated and experimental values of these transport coefficients enables us, in the case of pure argon, to extend the previous work of Frost and Phelps and derive the momentum transfer cross section from 0.7 to 25.0 eV. The momentum transfer and inelastic collision cross sections derived in this paper for argon and previously for hydrogen give rise to transport coefficients in mixtures of these two gases which are consistent with most of the available experimental data.