Domain formation in a one-dimensional superlattice

The dynamics of the temporal formation of high electric field domains in a one-dimensional superlattice miniband subject to inelastic phonon scatterin g is analyzed here. Our formulation is based on the derivation of equations of motion for generating functions of electron momentum fluctuations which take account of electron scattering by acoustic phonons, facilitating the determination of analytical expressions for both the electron drift velocit y and the diffusion coefficient as functions of the applied bias voltage. T he speed of domain formation and the minimum carrier concentration required are determined explicitly. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.