Transport coefficients for NO+ ions in helium gas: a test of the NO+He interaction potential Original Research Article

Transport cross-sections for the collision of positive nitrogen oxide ions with helium atoms have been computed from a theoretical NO+He interaction potential. These cross-sections have been used in a kinetic theory of diatomic ion motion in atomic gases to determine the mobility and diffusion coefficients parallel and perpendicular to an external electric field. Comparison of the calculated mobilities with experimental data shows that theory and experiment agree within their mutual uncertainties.