MICROSCOPIC CALCULATION OF THE ELECTRON-PHONON INTERACTION IN QUANTUM-WELLS

The electron-optical-phonon scattering rates in GaAs/AlAs quantum wells are calculated on the basis of a fully microscopic description of the phonon spectra. The results indicate the great importance of confined as well as GaAs-like and AlAs-like interface phonons. By comparing our results with those of several macroscopic models, we resolve a long-standing controversy on their ability to describe the relevant vibrations.