Planar channeling in superlattices: Resonance channeling

A resonance effect is reported for planar channeling of MeV helium ions in a strained-layer superlattice. In addition to the well-documented catastrophic dechanneling which maximizes dechanneling, a novel resonance channeling effect has been observed that minimizes the dechanneling. These two contrasting phenomena are demonstrated in a single sample by varying the projectile energy for channeling along the inclined {110} planes of a ${\mathrm{GaAs}}_{0.8}$${\mathrm{P}}_{0.2}$/GaAs superlattice of equal-thickness layers. The resonance phenomena are measured and modeled theoretically as a function of ion energy and crystal strain.