Computation of effective electron-phonon relaxation times in a high-T-c superconductor using the measured track radii

Energy relaxation processes after fast heavy ions passage through YBa2Cu3O7 -delta single crystal have been calculated. Effective times tau of electron -atom energy relaxation have been determined as fitting parameters for each pair of the measured track radius and the value of dE/dx. The latter quant ity has been chosen over the interval of 20-40 keV/nm. The calculated resul ts are compared with short pulse laser experiments and with Allen's theory, which predicts almost a linear dependence of tau on electron temperature. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.