Ion drift in a gas in an external electric field

A model of ion collisions with gas atoms is constructed that takes into account resonant ion-atom charge exchange, polarization interaction, and short-range (gas-kinetic) collisions. The cross sections for resonant charge exchange of the ions of noble gases, as well as rubidium, cesium, and mercury ions, with atoms are calculated based on the experimental data and the results of numerical simulations of ion collisions with parent gas atoms in a uniform electric field. The effect of the electric field, the temperature of the buffer gas atoms, and the percentage composition of the gas mixture on the ion velocity distribution function is investigated.