Electron-electron scattering: Collision integral and relaxation rate

Ned S. Wingreen, Monique Combescot

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

We derive a simple formula for the nonequilibrium, electron-electron relaxation rate 1/te-e in nondegenerate semiconductors, starting from the collision integral Ie-e(k). Numerical evaluation of the rate of quadrupole-moment relaxation confirms the magnitude and dependence of 1/te-e on carrier temperature and density. For highly elongated distributions, the thermal current relaxes more slowly than the quadrupole moment, indicating a limitation of the relaxation-time approach. Exchange scattering makes a negligible contribution to 1/te-e in the low-density limit.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3191-3196
Number of pages6
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume40
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1989
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Condensed Matter Physics

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