Measurements of the First Townsend Ionization Coefficient in Neon and Hydrogen

Measurements have been made of the electron-ionization coefficient $\frac{\alpha }{p_0}$ in neon and in hydrogen over an extended range of $\frac{E}{p_0}$. In neon the present results at low $\frac{E}{p_0}$ are in agreement with the values previously obtained by Kruithof and Penning. In hydrogen for $\frac{E}{p_0}$ values less than those corresponding to the Paschen minimum, the present results are in agreement with those of Rose and other previous investigators. From measurements of the variation of $\frac{\alpha }{p_0}$ as a function of the electron-collision number, information has been obtained concerning whether or not the electrons are in equilibrium with the applied electric fields.