Drift velocity of electrons in liquid argon, and the influence of molecular impurities

Abstract

The drift velocity of electrons has been measured in liquid argon and in liquid argon containing nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen as impurities. It has been found that with nitrogen and hydrogen in solution the drift velocity increases, but that, because of strong electron attachment, insufficient oxygen could be added to produce an observable effect. The results support the view that the behaviour of electrons in liquid argon can be understood by treatment of the liquid argon as a high pressure gas.