A generalised kinetic equation for electrons in disordered solids

Abstract

The authors have developed a self-consistent transport equation for electrons in disordered solids using the method of projection operators and an effective-medium approximation for the Wigner distribution function. The form of the equation is identical with the Boltzmann equation but contains a generalised scattering kernel T(k,k') and a generalised 'driving' or source term, both of which have to be calculated self-consistently. The phenomenon of '2k_F' scattering is found in the weak scattering limit but the theory is applicable to more general situations. The magnitude of the '2k_F' scattering is found to be in disagreement with results obtained by other authors.