Classical and quantum concepts of probability applied to diffraction physics in perfect crystals

Abstract

By following the trajectories of quantum particles inside a periodic lattice and preserving their classical probabilities for reflection, transmission and absorption at each lattice plane, classical scattering outcomes are obtained. Diffraction phenomena in crystals are reproducible after assigning probability amplitudes to every classical outcome. When applied to X-ray diffraction in reflection geometry, this procedure has provided simple recursive equations to calculated the X-ray reflectivity of crystals with thickness varying since a few atomic layers to infinity. The results are in agreement with the dynamical theory of X-ray diffraction, even when absorption is considered.