Free Path Formulae for the Coefficient of Diffusion and Velocity of Drift of Electrons in Gases

Abstract

Free path methods are used to derive formulae for the coefficient of diffusion and the drift velocity of electrons in weakly ionized gases in the general case in which the collisional cross section is a function of the speed of an electron and the law of scattering of electrons in single collisions with molecules is not restricted to a few specific cases. It is found that the results are, in effect, the same as those derived by means of the methods of Maxwell and Boltzmann.