Anlagerungskoeffizienten und Driftgeschwindigkeiten von Elektronen in Luft

Electron drift velocities and attachment coefficients were measured in dry air (E/p=0.1–30 V/cm Torr) and in a 9∶1 nitrogen/oxygen mixture (E/p=0.2–3 V/cm Torr) in the pressure range from 50 to 200 Torr, using a modified spark chamber technique. The primary electrons were released by anα-particle. The temporal development of the electron density in the gap was determined from the amplitude of the current due to the avalanches, which were produced by applying high voltage pulses at different delay times. — It was found that in air the dissociative attachment sets in at higherE/p (～10–15 V/cm Torr) than in oxygen. At lowerE/p three body attachment is predominant. — When the high voltage pulses were applied after the transit time of the primary electrons, electron avalanches still appeared. It was concluded that they were started by electrons which were detached from negative ions. The estimated detachment rates indicate the formation of O ₂ ^? ions at lowE/p and of O^? ions at higherE/p.