Theory of rainbows in thin crystals: The explanation of ion channeling applied toNe10+ions transmitted through a 〈100〉 Si thin crystal

Abstract

The theory of crystal rainbows is presented. It enables the generation and full explanation of the angular distribution of ions transmitted through thin crystals. The angular distribution of the transmitted ions is generated by the computer simulation method. Then, the rainbow lines in the scattering angle plane are determined. These lines ensure the full explanation of the angular distribution. The theory is applied to the transmission of ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{10+}$ ions through a 〈100〉 Si thin crystal. The ion energy is 60 MeV and the crystal thickness is varied from 105 to 632 atomic layers, i.e., from the beginning of the first rainbow cycle to the beginning of the second rainbow cycle.