Chapter 1 Low-Field Electron Transport

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with electron transport in crystals subjected to small driving forces, that is, low-field transport. It studies cases in which the driving forces are steady or time-dependent electric fields, or temperature gradients. It explores that extensive data have become available on many of the III–V and II–VI compounds. Because low-field transport coefficients are characteristic of microscopic properties of the crystals exclusive of the particular field strengths involved, detailed comparisons between theoretical and experimental results permit the construction of a generally satisfactory picture of the electron physics of these crystals. Recent improvements in transport calculations allow quantitative comparisons with experiments that are helpful in elucidating electron scattering mechanisms and in refining the knowledge of basic material constants. Naturally, these more accurate findings have dictated the elaboration of transport theory in a fashion consistent with band theory. Concerning electron–phonon scattering, there has been little hope in the past of determining the strength of a particular mechanism in the presence of other equally influential mechanisms. Extensions of some of the techniques to other materials, such as ternary and quaternary alloys, could greatly improve our quantitative understanding of the electron–phonon interaction.