Drift properties of electrons in methane and methane noble gas mixtures

Drift velocities and longitudinal diffusion coefficients are measured with high precision for pure methane, for mixtures of methane with He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe as well as for some other molecular gases. From these data, the inelastic cross sections of methane could be determined for the first time. The momentum transfer cross sections of CH4 and the noble gases were obtained as well, partially with significant deviations from previous measurements. Reliable predictions of the transport parameters in binary and ternary CH4 noble gas mixtures are now possible. (orig.)