Transfer matrix method for interface optical-phonon modes in multiple-interface heterostructure systems

Interactions of carriers with interface optical phonons dominate over other carrier-phonon scatterings in narrow quantum-well structures. Herein, a transfer matrix method is used to establish a formalism for determining the dispersion relations, electrostatic potentials, and Frohlich interaction Hamiltonians of the interface optical phonons for multiple-interface heterostructure systems within the framework of the macroscopic dielectric continuum model. This method facilitates systematic calculations for complex structures where the conventional method is very difficult to implement. Several specific cases are treated to illustrate the advantages of the general formalism. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.