Chapter 5
Scattering Rates

In order to provide population inversion in QCLs, the scattering rates have to be engineered properly by designing the energy levels and wave functions. The scattering events interrupt the kinetics of electrons. Between the scattering events the acceleration is governed by the external fields. Due to scattering, electrons dissipate their momentum and energy and can change the subband. Scattering processes are determined in terms of transition probabilities Sαα between an initial state |αand a final state |αper unit time. Various scattering mechanisms exist. In this chapter we will consider and discuss scattering due to lattice vibrations as well as interface roughness. More detailed derivations can be found in Appendix B.

 5.1 Phonons
 5.2 From Fermi’s Golden Rule to the Totel Scattering Rate
 5.3 Polar Optical Phonon Scattering
 5.4 Acoustic Deformation Potential Scattering
 5.5 Optical Deformation Potential Scattering
 5.6 Intervalley Scattering
 5.7 Interface Roughness Scattering
 5.8 Alloy Scattering