Relativistic-electron scattering on an atomic string of a crystal at ultrasmall angles of particle incidence on a string

Abstract

The classical and quantum scattering of fast electrons on an atomic string of a crystal is considered at angles of particle incidence on the string that are much smaller than the critical angle of axial channeling. The investigation was performed within the simplest approximation of the continuous atomic-string potential in the form of a cutoff Coulomb potential. For this case, the azimuthal scattering of particles at an angle exceeding 180° in the plane orthogonal to the string axis is shown to be possible for all impact-parameter values. It is demonstrated that, in particle scattering on a string, an effect can occur that is similar to the Ramsauer-Townsend effect, which consists in a considerable reduction of the total cross section for slow-electron scattering on atoms.