Two-peaked velocity distribution function of electrons in carbon tetrafluoride in crossed electric and magnetic fields

Monte Carlo simulation shows that the electron velocity distribution function (EVDF) in CF/sub 4/ in crossed electric and magnetic fields (E /spl times/ B fields) has two peaks at low E/B values. The EVDF peaks are formed around a pair of points in velocity space at which electrons are stationary against the acceleration under the E /spl times/ B fields and scattering by collisions with CF/sub 4/ molecules. The stationary points appear when the E/B value is lower than the electron speed at which the total electron collision frequency in CF/sub 4/ takes its minimum.