Electron high-field transport in multisubband quantum wire structures

The Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport in multisubband quasi-one-dimensional GaAs/AlAs quantum wires (QWIs) are presented. The electron intrasubband and intersubband scattering by surface-optical and confined longitudinal-optical phonons in QWIs has been included in the program. It is demonstrated that at room temperature the electron drift velocity in the QWI is suppressed by electron intersubband scattering and does not exceed the bulk material values. The energy dependence of the total scattering rate in ideal QWIs exhibits multiple sharp peaks related to intersubband transitions. The scattering rates in the real QWIs with variable thicknesses are calculated as well. The results show that even small variation in thickness leads to a significant broadening of the very first peaks and complete washing-out of the peak-like structure at higher energies.