Relaxation rate of excited electrons in metals: A nonperturbative calculation based on kinetic theory - art. no. 035102

By using an effective independent-particle model for an interacting electro n gas, the relaxation rate of excited electrons close enough to the Fermi s urface is calculated. The theoretical description is based on a binary coll ision treatment, implemented by an approximate nonlinear characterization o f the residual screened interactions and exact phase-shift calculations. Th e important constituents of a consistent attempt are discussed. The results obtained are analyzed and compared to those based on perturbative Linear-s creening predictions. Reductions in the lifetime of excited electrons are f ound. Comparisons with experimental data from different sources are made.