Abstract
The theory of phonon-drag thermopower Sg is given for a quasi-1D electron gas in a GaAs heterostructure. The coupling of the electrons to 3D phonons is considered through acoustic deformation potential and piezoelectric fields. An expression for Sg is given which may be used for quasi-1D wires of different geometries. Numerical results are presented for both the screened and the unscreened value of Sg for cylindrical wires in the temperature range 1-10 K. For temperatures T>or=2 K the major contribution to Sg comes from the deformation potential scattering but for T<2 K the contribution to Sg due to piezoelectric scattering is significant. Screening reduces Sg by 40%. Sg increases as the density of electrons decreases and curves of Sg/T3 against T show maxima. The overall behaviour is dominated by the 3D character of the phonon system and is similar to that found previously for a quasi-2D electron gas coupled to 3D phonons.
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