Quantum lifetime of two-dimensional electrons in a magnetic field

Abstract

Positive magnetoresistance of two-dimensional (2D) electrons in GaAs quantum wells placed in weak quantizing magnetic fields is observed. From comparison of the magnetoresistance with theory, the quantum lifetime of 2D electrons is determined in a broad range of temperatures from 0.3 to 20 K. The temperature variation of the inverse electron lifetime is in good agreement with the conventional theory of electron-electron scattering and correlates with the rate of energy relaxation of 2D electrons.