Auger recombination in a quantum well heterostructure

The authors consider the problem of Auger recombination of electrons and holes in quantum well heterostructure. An expression for the Auger recombination rate is derived for a particular process which is the quantum well equivalent of the so-called CCCH process with the carriers involved remaining in the lowest electron and hole sub-bands. The recombining carriers are assumed to obey Boltzmann statistics. This restricted calculation is regarded as a useful preliminary to the study of the complete range of Auger processes in the quantum well, and the use of a Fermi-Dirac statistics.