The tracer exchange between a finite single-file channel (in which the diff
using guest particles are not able to pass each other) and its surroundings
is considered. A mean-field calculation shows that the mean intracrystalli
ne residence time tau(intra) is proportional to the 3rd power of the channe
l length L. Further, it is proportional to Theta/(1-Theta), where Theta den
otes the relative occupancy. Monte Carlo simulations confirm these results
to a satisfactory accuracy, especially at high occupancy. The essential mec
hanism of tracer exchange is considered in more detail. (C) 1999 American I
nstitute of Physics. [S0021-9606(99)70707-5].