Atomistic modelling of the channeling process with radiation reaction force included

TL;DR

This paper develops a methodology to include radiation reaction forces in relativistic molecular dynamics simulations, demonstrating its application to positron channeling in silicon crystals and analyzing energy loss effects.

Contribution

Introduces a new approach to incorporate radiation reaction forces into molecular dynamics simulations within the MBN Explorer framework for ultra-relativistic particles.

Findings

Radiation reaction causes significant energy loss in ultra-relativistic positrons.

Simulations reveal different regimes of energy decrease during channeling.

Methodology sets the stage for quantum corrections in future models.

Abstract

Methodology is developed that incorporates the radiation reaction force into the relativistic molecular dynamics framework implemented in the MBN Explorer software package. The force leads to a gradual decrease in the projectile's energy E due to the radiation emission. This effect is especially strong for ultra-relativistic projectiles passing through oriented crystals where they experience the action of strong electrostatic fields as has been shown in recent experiments. A case study has been carried out for the initial approbation of the methodology developed. Simulations of the processes of planar channeling and photon emission have been performed for 150 GeV positrons in a 200 microns thick single oriented Si(110) crystal. Several regimes for the decrease in E have been established and characterized. Further steps in developing the code to include the necessary quantum corrections are identified and possible algorithmic modifications are proposed.