Electron distribution function, transport and rate coefficients from higher order solution of Boltzmann's equation

An improved method is presented for solving the plasma Boltzmann transport equation. The Boltzmann equation determines the electron velocity distribution function of plasmas. Earlier methods, mainly the conventional two-term approximation are inadequate in the practical cases. The new method uses the higher terms of the expansion by Legendre polynomials. The resulting singular differential-difference equation system is solved by direct numerical integration supported by an analysis of the mathematical structure of the general solution. The method is applied to model and real gas with isotropic scattering, to real gas with nonisotropic scattering, and to the inhomogeneous case. The future development of the method is discussed. (D.Gy.)