Calculation of the Effective Ionization Rate in Air by Considering Electron Detachment From Negative Ions

The effective Townsend ionization coefficient in dry air at different pressures and temperatures is calculated by considering ionization by direct electron impact, attachment of electrons to molecular oxygen, simplified negative ion kinetics, and detachment of electrons from negative ions in collisions with heavy neutrals. Effect of electron detachment from negative ions created by primary and secondary electron avalanches propagating in a uniform electric field in air at different pressures and temperatures and its contribution into the effective ionization rate are analyzed.