Modulation of electron-phonon scattering in quantum wires by an external magnetic field

We show that the electron-phonon scattering rates in a semiconductor quantum wire can be significantly affected by an external magnetic field. This suggests the possibility of using a magnetic field to modulate the electron mobility, the saturation velocity, the relaxation rate of photocarriers, etc., in a quantum wire. A magnetic field increases the optical phonon scattering rates but decreases the acoustic phonon scattering rates. The latter has serious implications for the quantum Hall effect. Finally the possibility of a magnetic field promoting negative differential mobility caused by the Riddoch-Ridley mechanism in a quantum wire is also discussed.