Monte Carlo Simulation of an Electron Swarm in an Argon-like Gas

Abstract

A Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) of an electron swarm in an argon-like gas (of atomic mass a.m.u.), with Golden's cross section with a very deep minimum, is presented in order to examine the breakdown of the validity of the conventional two-term expression for the transverse diffusion coefficient Dr indicated by Milloy and Watts. It is found that the MCS value of Dr approaches the two-term value much slower than other swarm parameters such as the drift velocity Wand the longitudinal diffusion coefficient ~. The discrepancy between the MCS and two-term values of Dr revealed by Milloy and Watts is attributable to the evaluation of Dr at the long transient (correlation) stage in the MCS. It is concluded that the two-term expressions for Dr and ~ (and other swarm parameters) are sufficiently accurate even for Golden's cross section with a very deep minimum.