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Electron-phonon interaction and current in strong electric fields

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Zeitschrift für Physik

Abstract

Using the Houston-wave approach we investigate the electron-phonon interaction in electric fieldsF which are sufficiently strong to change an electron's Bloch state drastically during the relaxation time τ, but still too weak to support standing electron waves between the band edges. We calculate τ for the low density, high temperature limit and find τ∼F −1/2. The electric current in the field region of the “hot electrons” between its ohmic rise and its decrease proportional toF −1 is determined. Its increase withF +1/2 in the limit of relatively low fields agrees with Shockley's result.

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Author notes

  1. Reiner Kümmel

    Present address: Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Frankfurt/Main, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Física, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia

    Reiner Kümmel & Jairo Roldán

Authors
  1. Reiner Kümmel
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  2. Jairo Roldán
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Additional information

Based on a thesis submitted by Jairo Roldán in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master's degree in Physics, Universidad del Valle, 1972.

One of us, J. Roldán Ch., would like to thank the Rockefeller Foundation for a scholarship.

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Kümmel, R., Roldán, J. Electron-phonon interaction and current in strong electric fields. Z. Physik 259, 411–420 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01397377

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01397377

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