Boltzmann's equation at 150: Traditional and modern solution techniques for charged particles in neutral gases

Boyle, G.J., Stokes, P.W., Robson, R.E., and White, R.D. (2023) Boltzmann's equation at 150: Traditional and modern solution techniques for charged particles in neutral gases. Journal of Chemical Physics, 159 (2).

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Abstract

Seminal gas discharge experiments of the late 19th and early 20th centuries laid the foundations of modern physics, and the influence of this "golden era" continues to resonate well into the 21st century through modern technologies, medical applications, and fundamental scientific investigations. Key to this continuing success story has been the kinetic equation formulated by Ludwig Boltzmann in 1872, which provides the theoretical foundations necessary for analyzing such highly non-equilibrium situations. However, as discussed here, the full potential of Boltzmann's equation has been realized only in the past 50 years or so, with modern computing power and analytical techniques facilitating accurate solutions for various types of charged particles (ions, electrons, positrons, and muons) in gases. Our example of thermalization of electrons in xenon gas highlights the need for such accurate methods-the traditional Lorentz approximation is shown to be hopelessly inadequate. We then discuss the emerging role of Boltzmann's equation in determining cross sections by inverting measured swarm experiment transport coefficient data using machine learning with artificial neural networks.

Item ID: 79476
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1089-7690
Copyright Information: © 2023 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Date Deposited: 14 Sep 2023 02:17
FoR Codes: 51 PHYSICAL SCIENCES > 5102 Atomic, molecular and optical physics > 510201 Atomic and molecular physics @ 100%
SEO Codes: 28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280120 Expanding knowledge in the physical sciences @ 100%
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