Electron impact ionization and dielectric breakdown in the liquid noble gases: a Monte Carlo simulation

Determining whether electron avalanches can occur in the liquid phase is of fundamental importance when formulating models for electrical breakdown in liquids. The electron energy distribution function, drift velocity, and ionization rate for electrons in liquid xenon have been calculated using a kinetic model for electron transport. The electron scattering rates have been obtained using the Van Hove approach in which the liquid is characterized by the dynamic structure function, S(q&oarr;, ω). The threshold field for ionization, E, (such that the ionization coefficient, α≠0 for E>E_t ) is found to be ≈400 kV/cm. This value for E_t as well as those for α are in good agreement with experiment. These results, and those of Kunhardt (1991), are used to assess models for pulsed breakdown in the liquid noble gases