Electron-ion recombination rate constant in dense gaseous argon and krypton

The rate constants of bulk electron-ion recombination in dense gaseous argo n and krypton have been calculated by means of computer simulation. The ele ctron scattering in those systems was modeled by the low-pressure energy-de pendent cross sections for elastic collisions with gas atoms. The applicabi lity of the assumed cross sections to the considered systems was verified b y the calculation of the electron mobility in an external electric field. T he recombination rate constants determined from our simulation are two orde rs of magnitude lower than the experimental results. Possible reasons for t his disagreement are discussed. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0 021-9606(99)00320-7].