A strict theoretical treatment of the electron kinetics in spatially distur
bed steady state plasma near absorbing boundary is presented. The presence
of an absorbing boundary is accompanied by a large electron density gradien
t that leads to axial dependence of the electron density, electron mobility
and diffusion coefficient and to strong distortion of the electron energy
distribution function. An efficient method for solving axially inhomogeneos
electron Boltzmann equation under the action of a steady state electric fi
eld has been used. Both elastic and conservative inelastic collisions of th
e electrons with gas atoms as well as elastic electron-electron collisions
are taken into account. A comparison with experimental results available is
reported. Investigations are performed for rare gases and a comparison of
several macroscopic quantities (electron density, mean energy electron mobi
lity and diffusion coefficient) is made and discussed. The applicability of
the two-term Legengre polynomial expansion has been critically evaluated a
nd discussed.