Abstract
In strong electric fields the acceleration of the electrons by the field exceeds the deceleration by collisions with neutral molecules. Thus run-away or beam electrons are produced. This paper investigates the motion of the beam electrons in a neutral gas considering ionization processes by electron-molecule-impacts. We start with a time independent current of primary electrons (case a) and a space independant density of primary electrons (case b). The further development of the velocity distribution is calculated. For a molecular hydrogen gas the amplification of the initial electrons, the average ionization, and the velocity distribution of the electrons as a function of space or time respectively is given. The average ionization has an asymptotic solution, which becomes valid, when one primary electron has produced by ionization an avalanche of approximately 100 electrons. The Townsend coefficient α for high values of the field strength is independant of space only in the region of this asymptotic solution.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Herrn Prof. Dr. W.Weizel sage ich meinen Dank für die Förderung dieser Arbeit.
Außerdem danke ich Herrn Dr. P. F.Müller vom Rheinisch-Westfälischen Institut für Instrumentelle Mathematik für die Durchführung der Rechnungen am Analogrechner und Fräulein K.von Vegesack für ihre Hilfe beim Programmieren der Rechnung am elektronischen Rechenautomaten ER 56.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Müller, K.G. Die Elektronenbewegung im Neutralgas bei hohen elektrischen Feldern. Z. Physik 169, 432–455 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01378171
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01378171