Electron scattering in quantum wells subjected to an in-plane magnetic field

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that in-plane magnetic fields induce asymmetric electron scattering in quantum wells, leading to potential electric currents when the electron gas is out of thermal equilibrium.

Contribution

It reveals the magnetic field-induced asymmetry in electron scattering caused by structural inversion asymmetry in quantum wells.

Findings

Scattering probability depends on electron wave vector and magnetic field.

Asymmetry arises from lack of inversion symmetry in quantum wells.

Potential for electric current generation from non-equilibrium electron gases.

Abstract

It is shown that the electron scattering by static defects, acoustic or optical phonons in quantum wells subjected to an in-plane magnetic field is asymmetric. The probability of scattering contains terms which are proportional to both the electron wave vector and the magnetic field components. The terms under study are caused by the lack of an inversion center in quantum wells due to structure or bulk inversion asymmetry although they are of pure diamagnetic origin. Such a magnetic field induced asymmetry of scattering can be responsible for a number of phenomena. In particular, the asymmetry of inelastic electron-phonon interaction leads to an electric current flow if only the electron gas is driven out of thermal equilibrium with the crystal lattice.