Electron energy distribution function and dense-gas ionization in the presence of a strong field

The mechanism for dense-gas ionization is analyzed in the case when the deceleration of electrons by gas can be neglected in the equation of motion of a single electron. An expression for the electron energy distribution function in the presence of a strong field is derived. The characteristic width of the distribution corresponds to the energy acquired by the electron at a length determined by the inverse Townsend coefficient. The electron energy distributions are calculated for various distances form the cathode. It is demonstrated that the distribution becomes independent of the coordinate at a distance from the cathode that is significantly greater than the inverse Townsend coefficient. In this case, the distribution coincides with the distribution obtained with analytical calculations. The absence of the coordinate dependence is realized even in the presence of an extremely strong field when, in accordance with the commonly accepted point of view, the majority of electrons are runaway electrons.