Statistical equilibrium, planar channeling, and the continuum model

Abstract

Most analytical channeling calculations assume statistical equilibrium, however, a Monte Carlo technique has shown that this is not a good assumption for certain types of axial channeling calculations. In this paper it is shown that the statistical equilibrium assumption has a sound basis within the context of the planar continuum model. Specifically, it is shown that the integral of the spatial probability density of planar channeled ions over an interval transverse to the planes approaches the corresponding integral of the statistical-equilibrium spatial probability density for large penetration depths.