Configuration of propagator method for calculation of electron velocity distribution function in gas under crossed electric and magnetic fields

This paper presents a self-contained description on the configuration of propagator method (PM) to calculate the electron velocity distribution function (EVDF) of electron swarms in gases under DC electric and magnetic fields crossed at a right angle. Velocity space is divided into cells with respect to three polar coordinates v, θ and f. The number of electrons in each cell is stored in three-dimensional arrays. The changes of electron velocity due to acceleration by the electric and magnetic fields and scattering by gas molecules are treated as intercellular electron transfers on the basis of the Boltzmann equation and are represented using operators called the propagators or Green’s functions. The collision propagator, assuming isotropic scattering, is basically unchanged from conventional PMs performed under electric fields without magnetic fields. On the other hand, the acceleration propagator is customized for rotational acceleration under the action of the Lorentz force. The acceleration propagator specific to the present cell configuration is analytically derived. The mean electron energy and average electron velocity vector in a model gas and SF6 were derived from the EVDF as a demonstration of the PM under the Hall deflection and they were in a fine agreement with those obtained by Monte Carlo simulations. A strategy for fast relaxation is discussed, and extension of the PM for the EVDF under AC electric and DC/AC magnetic fields is outlined as well.