In this project in the Physical Chemistry Program, Viehland will develop a theory of the way ion velocities are distributed when trace amounts of ions move through dilute gases under the influence of electric fields. Computer programs have been developed that will allow both the ion velocity distribution and the gaseous ion transport coefficients to be calculated from knowledge of the ion-neutral interaction potentials. Comparison of the calculated quantities with experimental results gives insight into the accuracy with which the distribution function can be measured and also into the accuracy of present microscopic knowledge about the forces between individual ions and atoms.
