Boltzmann equation and Monte Carlo analysis of electron-electron interactions on electron distributions in nonthermal cold plasmas

Electron distribution functions in nonthermal cold plasmas generated by classical electrical discharges have been calculated from a powerful Boltzmann equation solution and an original Monte Carlo simulation. In these two methods both classical (i.e., elastic, inelastic, and superelastic) electron-atom (or molecule) collisions and electron-electron interactions are taken into account. The approximations considered to include long-range (electron-electron) and short-range (electron-atom) interactions in the same Monte Carlo algorithm are first validated by comparing with Boltzmann equation results. Then, the influence of electron-electron interactions on electron distribution functions, swarm parameters, and reaction rates under nonthermal cold plasma conditions are analyzed and discussed as a function of reduced electric field E/N and ionization degree ${\mathit{n}}_{\mathit{e}}$/N for different atomic and molecular gases.