Sub-nanosecond secondary geminate recombination in mercury halides HgX 2 (X = I, Br) investigated by time-resolved x-ray scattering

We present a set of self-consistent cross sections for electron transport in gaseous tetrahydrofuran (THF), that refines the set published in our previous study [1] by proposing modifications to the quasielastic momentum transfer, neutral dissociation, ionisation and electron attachment cross sections. These adjustments are made through the analysis of pulsed-Townsend swarm transport coefficients, for electron transport in pure THF and in mixtures of THF with argon. To automate this analysis, we employ a neural network model that is trained to solve this inverse swarm problem for realistic cross sections from the LXCat project. The accuracy, completeness and self-consistency of the proposed refined THF cross section set is assessed by comparing the analyzed swarm transport coefficient measurements to those simulated via the numerical solution of Boltzmann's equation.

Accurate modelling of electron transport in plasmas, plasma-liquid and plasma-tissue interactions requires (i) the existence of accurate and complete sets of cross-sections, and (ii) an accurate treatment of electron transport in these gaseous and soft-condensed phases. In this study we present progress towards the provision of self-consistent electron-biomolecule cross-section sets representative of tissue, including water and THF, by comparison of calculated transport coefficients with those measured using a pulsed-Townsend swarm experiment. Water-argon mixtures are used to assess the self-consistency of the electron-water vapour cross-section set proposed in de Urquijo et al (2014 J. Chem. Phys. 141 014308). Modelling of electron transport in liquids and soft-condensed matter is considered through appropriate generalisations of Boltzmann's equation to account for spatialtemporal correlations and screening of the electron potential. The ab initio formalism is applied to electron transport in atomic liquids and compared with available experimental swarm data for these noble liquids. Issues on the applicability of the ab initio formalism for krypton are discussed and addressed through consideration of the background energy of the electron in liquid krypton. The presence of self-trapping (into bubble/cluster states/solvation) in some liquids requires a reformulation of the governing Boltzmann equation to account for the combined localised-delocalised nature of the resulting electron transport. A generalised Boltzmann equation is presented which is highlighted to produce dispersive transport observed in some liquid systems.

The drift velocity and first Townsend ionization coefficient of electrons in gaseous tetrahydrofuran are measured over the range of reduced electric fields 4-1000 Td using a pulsed-Townsend technique. The measured drift velocities and Townsend ionization coefficients are subsequently used, in conjunction with a multi-term Boltzmann equation analysis, as a further discriminative assessment on the accuracy and completeness of a recently proposed set of electron-THF vapor cross sections. In addition, the sensitivity of the transport coefficients to uncertainties in the existing cross sections is presented. As a result of that analysis, a refinement of the momentum transfer cross section for electron-THF scattering is presented, along with modifications to the neutral dissociation and dissociative electron attachment cross sections. With these changes to the cross section database, we find relatively good self-consistency between the measured and simulated drift velocities and Townsend coefficients.

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