Moderate and strong magnetic field electron drift velocities in nitrogen, oxygen and air†

By means of the equivalent reduced electric field concept, calculation of the electron transverse and perpendicular drift velocity and their ratio, tan θ, is extended to a moderate and a strong crossed magnetic field for nitrogen, oxygen and air, for average electron energies, from 0-1 to 10 ev. Data are presented on a constant electron energy rather than constant E/p basis. It is shown numerically that the prior assumed constant electron collision frequency values, derived from the various transport coefficients, inherently vary widely (by about a factor of 2(. Even for a given transport coefficient and constant electron energy, the collision frequency changes with applied magnetic field ( also by a factor of 2). The advantage of carrying out experiments at constant electron energy in the presence of a crossed magnetic field is discussed.