Measurements of the lateral diffusion of O₂⁺ions in oxygen, N₃⁺and N₄⁺ions in nitrogen, and CO⁺.CO ions in carbon monoxide

Measurements of the ratio D T / mu (D T being the lateral diffusion coefficient and mu the mobility) for O 2 + ions in O 2 , N 3 + and N 4 + ions in N 2 and CO + .CO ions in CO are reported for reduced electric fields in the ranges 10-500 Td, 10-100 Td and 10-130 Td respectively. The experimental data are discussed in relation to recent theoretical work on the relationship between the diffusion and mobility of ions in gases under strong electric fields.