Study of anticlastic deformation in a silicon crystal for channeling experiments

Anticlastic deformationADis an established mechanical property of isotropic solid bodies, which
has been recently used to steer particle beams through channeling in Si crystals. An analysis of AD
in an anisotropic material, such as Si, has been worked out with particular emphasis to the cases
used in channeling experiments. Both a theoretical model and finite element simulations were
developed and compared to experimental data achieved by optical profilometry on bent Si crystals.
A quantifier of the extent of AD, namely the ratio between primary and secondary curvature radii,
has been found to be orientation dependent and determined analytically. The realistic case of crystal
bending by a mechanical holder has been studied for applications. We addressed the case of the
holder with a crystal at the energy currently under operation in the CERN super proton synchrotron
and its possible extension to higher energy cases such as for the large hadron collider.
Anisotropy-driven torsion of the crystal was investigated, determining a limitation to the portion of
the crystal suitable for channeling. The geometry of the jaws clamping the crystal was considered
too