Negative differential conductivity of positrons in gases

This paper reports on a new series of calculations of positron transport properties based on current experimental cross section data. It is found that negative differential conductivity (NDC) occurs in the bulk drift velocity W but not the flux drift velocity w. The origin of the phenomenon lies in the “reactive” nature of positron collisions associated with positronium Ps formation, and is quite different in origin to the better known NDC effect in w arising from certain combinations of inelastic-elastic cross sections. Moreover, while the Ps formation process is qualitatively similar (at least from a kinetic theory perspective) to electron attachment, it is characterized by a cross section several orders of magnitude larger and hence the “reactive” NDC effect is correspondingly more pronounced. In this paper we test both established conditions for NDC, and develop new criteria, using simple mathematics and physical arguments where possible.