On the Transversal Diffusion of Electrons in a Gas in an Electric Field

Discrepancies between Monte Carlo and Boltzmann calculations of electron drift and diffusion in gases have recently led some authors to call into question the same definition of diffusion coefficient perpendicular to the electric field. In this paper we report new results which confirm the observed discrepancies but at the same time we will show that the Monte Carlo results are consistent with more rigorous calculations based on theories of higher order than the first.