Comparison of transport scattering and single‐particle relaxation times in modulation‐doped heterostructures

The transport scattering and single‐particle relaxation times which characterize a two‐dimensional electron system have been investigated by using thermal neutron irradiation. The ratios of transport scattering time to single‐particle relaxation time are observed to vary from 1.7 to 7.8 depending on the electron density. A decrease in single‐particle relaxation time is found while the transport scattering time increases as the electron concentrations increase. These phenomena are relevant to the Hall plateau broadening and enhancement of Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations in such an experiment.