The effect of negative absolute conductivity in quasi-one-dimensional
quantum wire structures is obtained by the Monte Carlo simulation. Thi
s negative conductivity is associated with inelastic optical phonon sc
attering leading to an asymmetric electron distribution function estab
lished under conditions of intensive electron photoinjection. Simulati
on results suggest that quantum wires are ideal for the experimental o
bservation of negative absolute conductivity. The oscillations of phot
oconductivity as a function of injection energy can reveal the spectru
m of optical phonons in quantum wires which differs considerably from
that in bulk materials.