Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
The technique for studying swarms of electrons in a gas discharge by observing the photon flux from the discharge, has been adapted to investigate the role of the secondary mechanisms in hydrogen and nitrogen. The results show that, contrary to previous indications, ion bombardment of the cathode plays only a negligible, if any, part in the low pressure discharge in hydrogen and nitrogen at low E/N, while at high E/N only the contribution of the atomic ion is significant.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Fletcher et al. (1981) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: