The mobility of positive and negative ions in liquid xenon

The mobility of defined positive and negative ions in liquefied xenon is discussed from a microscopic point of view. The effects of electrostriction and spatial variation of viscosity around the ion have a profound influence on the mobility. In the case of negative ions, in addition, the repulsive exchange interaction between the lone electron and the closed electron shells of the xenon atoms has to be taken into account. Generalization of these findings allows to explain qualitatively the difference between positive and negative ion mobility in non-polar dielectric liquids.