Rosette motion and string scattering of 20 MeV electrons in MgO single crystals

Abstract

Analytical estimates and computer simulations were undertaken to perceive the motion of negative particles through a lattice structure, the interaction being classical binary scattering. Three distinct modes of particle motion along atomic strings were found depending on the magnitude of the transverse energy and the angular momentum L of the particle with regard to the string axis. At small and large L increased scattering on the strings as compared with random penetration dominates. At medium L and negative transverse energy (bound state particles in the attractive potential) a rosette motion along the string occurs. In this case small impact parameters to the string atoms are avoided and thus an increased penetrability of the negative particles results. The influence of thermal lattice vibrations on these motions was studied. Experimentally, the negative particle motion modes manifested themselves in the penetration profiles of 20 MeV electrons through an 8 μm MgO single crystal.