Kinetic Theory of Charged Particle Swarms in Neutral Gases

Abstract

The kinetic theory of charged test particles in a neutral gas, in the presence of static and uniform electric and magnetic fields, is reviewed. The effects of inelastic processes and reactions are included. The general space-time development of the swarms is considered and the relation between the nonhydrodynamic anQ hydrodynamic developments is pointed out. The transport coefficients are identified as statistical averages over the configuration-space and phase-space distributions. The evaluation of these averages by computer simulations is briefly discussed.