Excitation of standing electron waves in fast-ion tracks

The specific case of slow-electron diffraction in fast-ion tracks is consid ered. The excitation condition for standing waves of delta electrons is a s trong screening of the Coulomb interaction, for which most of the delta ele ctrons are knocked out in radial directions relative to the track axis. In that case, an appreciable number of delta electrons with a wavelength of th e order of the interatomic distance experience multiple backscatterings bet ween the atomic chains located near the track axis. The lifetime of standin g electron waves is estimated from diffractometric measurements of the decr ease in atomic density on the track axis. The mobility of crystal atoms, th eir displacements, and the expenditure of energy on deformation are also es timated. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".