Experimental and numerical studies of the electron distribution function in He + O2 dc discharge

Probe measurements of the electron energy distribution in He + O₂ mixture discharge are compared with the results obtained using the Holstein form of the Boltzmann equation. The transport and Townsend coefficients are calculated and in case of pure helium and oxygen they are verified by available experiments. The results are presented for dc discharge over the range 0 to 30% of oxygen admixture in helium and 5×10^?17≦E/N≦2×10^?15 V cm².