Cross sections and transport coefficients for electrons in Zn vapour

In this paper we present details of the following: (a) ab initia calculations of a set of electron impact cross sections for atomic Zn; and (b) transport coefficients and distribution functions for an electron swarm in Zn vapour, obtained from a multiterm solution of Boltzmann's equation using these cross sections, over a range of reduced fields, E/N, and gas temperatures of practical interest. Our work has been motivated, in part, by recent suggestions that zinc could be an attractive replacement for mercury in making high-pressure gas discharge lamps more environment-friendly (Born M 2001 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 34 909; Born M 2002 Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 11 A55). Current models of such lamps require a knowledge of the plasma electrical conductivity, which can be calculated from the (e, Zn) cross sections and mobility coefficients presented in this paper.