THE BOLTZMANN-EQUATION FOR THE ELECTRON-ENERGY DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION IN CO2-LASER DISCHARGES.

Abstract It is pointed out that the widely used form of the Boltzmann equation for the electron energy distribution function in CO 2 laser discharges is based on the assumption that the loss or gain of energy during inelastic or superelastic collisions is much less than the value of the energy itself, which is not always justified. A modified form of the Boltzmann equation, not based on this assumption, is suggested.