Electron-electron scattering in strong magnetic fields in quantum well systems

Abstract

We have developed a theory of the electron-electron scattering in quantum well structures in the presence of a magnetic field. The scattering rate is obtained from the second-order expansion of the electron self-energy. We show that the rate oscillates as a function of the magnetic field, so that a strong suppression of the scattering can be expected in some ranges of high magnetic fields. Our theory also provides an easy tool for distinguishing this two-electron scattering process from other possible scattering mechanisms.