Monte Carlo simulation of electron swarms in nitrogen in uniform E times B fields

The motion of electrons in nitrogen in uniform {ital E} {times} {ital B} fields is simulated using the Monte Carlo technique for 240 {le}= {ital E/N} {le} 600 Td (1 Td = 1 {times} 10{sup {minus}17} V cm{sup 2}) and 0 {le} {ital B/N} {le} 0.45 {times} 10{sup {minus}17} T cm{sup 3}. The electron-molecule collision cross sections adopted are the same cross sections as those used previously for the numerical solution of the Boltzmann equation. The swarm parameters obtained from the Monte Carlo simulation are compared with the Boltzmann solution and with the experimental data available in the literature. In relation to {ital E} {times} {ital B} fields, it is concluded that the Monte Carlo approach provides an independent method of substantiating the validity of the equivalent electric field approach.