An ergodic approach to the interaction of energetic electrons and single crystals

Abstract

With some exceptions, recent publications indicate that the compatibility of the special wave-mechanical and classical treatments of the interaction of very energetic (≥ 5 × 55 eV) electrons and single crystals is not obvious. We present a qualitative argument that shows that, even if the interaction of the electron and the single crystal may be described completely by particle mechanics, the experimentally measured parameters can still display wave-mechanical effects. The observation of classical or wave-mechanical effects depends on the ability to detect electrons with similar distinct classical trajectories.