Phonon generation in a current-carrying nanowire

Spectral and spatial distributions of phonons generated in a quantum wire b y a transport current are investigated as a function of the voltage across the nanostructure. We start with consideration of the simplest case of a un iform quantum wire which connects two thermal reservoirs. Then the role of the leads is discussed. It is shown that both spectral and angular distribu tions of emitted phonons depend significantly on the bias voltage. Thus stu dies of the phonon generation gives information both on the electron-photon coupling and on characteristics of the electron spectrum.