Electron runaway rate in air

A Monte Carlo code is developed in terms of the null-collision technique capable of simulating the transport of electrons in nitrogen-oxygen mixtures. Cross-sections for the angular scattering of electrons in all types of interactions are incorporated as accurately as possible. To demonstrate the opportunities and reliability of the code, basic transport parameters of electrons in nitrogen for a wide range of the reduced electric field strength E/N are computed and compared to some available theoretical and experimental data. The 'electron runaway rate', as a physical quantity, is tentatively defined. The influence of different models ofangular scattering upon the electron runaway in strong electric fields is studied. Dependence on the field strength E of the generation rate in air of electrons with energies above epsilon(max) in the range from 0.2-4 keV is computed assuming immobile molecules with a concentration equal to Loshmidt's number N-L = 2.69 x 10(19) cm(-3) (STP conditions) in the range of the field strength E from 240-400 kV cm(-1).