On the accuracy of the effective mass approximation for electron scattering at heterojunctions

Abstract
Recently, Marsh and Inkson (1984) have suggested that there are substantial deviations between effective mass theory and pseudopotential theory in the description of electron scattering from GaAs-Ga1-xAlxAs interfaces. It is shown here that this conclusion is premature. A rigorous application of effective mass theory which takes into account the correct boundary conditions for a mass discontinuity is found to give quite good agreement with pseudopotential theory.