Electron-phonon interaction in quasi-two-dimensional systems

We present a calculation of the electron–LO-phonon scattering rate in quasi-two-dimensional systems, based on a fully microscopic description of the phonon spectra. The results obtained for a GaAs/AlAs quantum-well structure indicate the great importance of interface phonons and allow us to solve a long-standing controversy on the validity of simplified macroscopic models for describing the relevant vibrations.