Intervalley electron scattering by phonons in (AlAs)1(GaAs) 3(001) superlattices

Intervalley electron scattering by phonons in (AlAs)₁(GaAs) ₃(001) superlattices is studied using the pseudopotential method and a phenomenological model of the bonding forces. The deformation potentials between the conduction band extrema of the superlattice involving short-and long-wavelength phonons are calculated. It is shown that the mixing of states from the zinc-blende L valleys plays a greater role in intervalley scattering in a superlattice than the Γ-X mixing. In particular, due to L-L mixing, the Γ-X ₃ transitions, analogous to Γ-L transitions in zinc blende, have higher intensities than the analogues of Γ-X transitions (Γ₁-M ₅ and (Γ₁-Γ₃ transitions). The deformation potentials averaged over the scattering channels in the superlattice agree with the corresponding potentials in a solid solution, but all transitions in the superlattice have higher intensities for the lower states.