Ion velocity distribution function in intrinsic gas at cryogenic gas temperatures

Abstract

The influence of elastic scattering on the ion distribution function in the plasma of an intrinsic gas in weak fields has been considered. An analytical expression valid for cryogenic temperatures of atoms has been obtained. The reduced He⁺–He, Ar⁺–Ar mobilities as functions of the temperature of atoms in a range of 4–1000 K have been calculated in the approximation of the zero field taking into account elastic collisions; the calculated dependences well agree with the available experimental data. It has been demonstrated that elastic collisions play an important role in the formation of the ion distribution function at low temperatures. The results of measurement of the ion mobility in the limit of the zero field at low temperatures can be used to obtain data on the ratio of elastic scattering and resonance charge exchange cross sections.