TRIPLE ELECTRON-SCATTERING RATES IN A SINGLE-MODE QUANTUM-WIRE

In quantum limit when only lower subband in a quasi-one dimensional system such as the electron gas confined in the quantum wire is occupied by electrons, pair electron collisions do not cause momentum and energy exchange between electrons. In this case more complex scattering events will determine electron momentum, energy, and phase relaxation. We calculated electron-electron scattering rates associated with triple scattering events with participation of two electrons and one charged impurity. The electron temperature relaxation time in triple collisions is estimated. We show that this time can be comparable with momentum relaxation time.