Mathematical theories of classical particle channeling in perfect crystals

We present an overview of our work on rigorous mathematical theories of channeling for highly energetic positive particles moving in classical perfect crystal potentials. Developed over the last two decades, these theories include: (i) a comprehensive, highly mathematical theory based on Nekhoroshev's theorem which embraces both axial and planar channeling as well as certain non-channeling particle motions, (ii) a theory of axial channeling for relativistic particles based on a single-phase averaging method for ordinary differential equations and (iii) a theory of planar channeling for relativistic particles based on a two-phase averaging method for ordinary differential equations. Here we touch briefly on (i) and (ii), then focus on (iii). Together these theories place Lindhard's continuum model approximations on a firm mathematical foundation, and should serve as the starting point for more refined mathematical treatments of channeling. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.