Electron–electron scattering rate in CdTe/CdMnTe single quantum well

Abstract

CdMnTe is demonstrated to be a good candidate in the X-ray and [Formula: see text]-ray detector application, however, there are few reports on theoretical analysis of electron scattering rate in CdMnTe quantum well. Within the framework of effective mass approximation and envelope function approximation, the influence of the Mn alloy composition ([Formula: see text], the well width ([Formula: see text], the electron temperature ([Formula: see text] and the electron density ([Formula: see text] on the electron–electron scattering rate (1/[Formula: see text] in the CdTe/Cd[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]Te single quantum well (SQW), are simulated by shooting method and Fermi’s Golden Rule. The results show that 1/[Formula: see text] is significant inverse proportional to [Formula: see text], but positively proportional to [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Except for a small peak at 20 K, 1/[Formula: see text] is not sensitive to [Formula: see text]. The above differential dependency of 1/[Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] can be interpreted by sub-band separation ([Formula: see text], which is proportional to [Formula: see text] but inversely proportional to [Formula: see text]. When [Formula: see text] decreases gradually, the electron transition becomes easier, which leads to 1/[Formula: see text] increases. The dependency of 1/[Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text] can be interpreted by kinetic energy of electrons. The larger the electron kinetic energy is, the more difficult the electron transition from first excited state to ground state is, which leads to 1/[Formula: see text] decreasing. The dependency of 1/[Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text] can be interpreted by the Coulomb interaction between electrons, i.e., the increase of electron collision probability caused by the increase of [Formula: see text].