Experimental computation of the momentum transfer cross section in argon

The momentum transfer cross section Q d for electrons in argon gas is computed from a solution of the Boltzmann equation using experimental values of electron swarm ionization and transport parameters as a guide to the choice of Q d . Calculated values are presented of the first ionization coefficient α/ N , the electron mobility μ N , the electron diffusion coefficient ND , and the mean electron energy small epsilonbar above for an electron swarm in argon in the electric field/gas number density range 140< E/N <450 Td.