Relaxation of excited electrons in a paramagnetic electron gas: The role of spins in screening and scattering

Abstract

The scattering lifetime of excited electrons close enough to the Fermi surface is investigated using the standard kinetic framework. This framework is implemented by effective, spin-dependent interactions and numerical phase-shift calculations. The nontrivial interplay between wave-mechanical interference effects in scattering and correlations in screening and dressing is discussed. Their role and relative importance are quantified via a comparative theoretical study.