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 language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3191-3196 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Physical Review B |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1989 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Condensed Matter Physics