Benchmark simulations for electron swarms in crossed electric and magnetic fields

Abstract

Monte Carlo methods have been used to produce accurate benchmark transport parameters for electron swarm transport in four model gases in the presence of crossed electric and magnetic fields, for a wide range of applied electric and magnetic field strengths. The results of the simulations are compared with those predicted by a multi-term (moment method) solution of Boltzmann's equation and by the flight-time integral method (FTI) of Ikuta and Sugai when possible. The comparison clearly validates the theoretical basis and numerical integrity of the moment method, while supporting concerns about the validity of the FTI approach and the definition of the transport coefficients used. Certain trends in the transport coefficients in crossed electric and magnetic fields are addressed using physical arguments.