Distribution function and electron energy balance in an electron-beam-controlled carbon dioxide laser

The Boltzman transport equation is solved numerically for the distribution function of the energies of electrons in working mixtures of electron-beam-controlled CO₂ gas-discharge lasers. The solution is obtained allowing for 27 elementary processes involving electron collisions with neutral particles. The calculated distribution functions are used in a study of the energy balance in discharges. The excitation efficiencies of various molecular levels are found as a function of the ratio of the electric field E to the gas pressure p and as a function of the partial concentrations of components of N₂+CO₂+He mixtures. The velocity of the drift of electrons in an electric field is calculated. The rates of ionization of easily ionizable impurities and of the attachment of electrons to these impurities are evaluated. The results are presented in graphical form.