Electron impact ionization and dielectric breakdown in the liquid noble gases: a Monte Carlo simulation

摘要

Determining whether electron avalanches can occur in the liquid phase is of fundamental importance when formulating models for electrical breakdown in liquids. The electron energy distribution function, drift velocity, and ionization rate for electrons in liquid xenon have been calculated using a kinetic model for electron transport. The electron scattering rates have been obtained using the Van Hove approach in which the liquid is characterized by the dynamic structure function, S(q/spl I.oarr/, /spl omega/). The threshold field for ionization, E, (such that the ionization coefficient, /spl alpha//spl ne/0 for E