Velocity distribution functions and transport coefficients of atomic ions in atomic gases by a Gram—Charlier approach

Abstract A new model, based on a Gram—Charlier series, is presented for the ion velocity distribution function of atomic ions moving in atomic gases under the influence of an electric field. The model involves eight parameters: the ion drift velocity, longitudinal temperature, transverse temperature, coefficient of skewness along the field, kurtosis along the field, kurtosis perpendicular to the field, coefficient of correlation between parallel velocity and perpendicular energy, and coefficient of correlation between parallel and perpendicular energy. The model is used as the foundation for solving the Boltzmann kinetic equation by a method of weighted residuals. Applications are made to a variety of ion—neutral systems to illustrate the usefulness of the model.

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