Phonons and Phonon Confinement in Transport through Double Quantum Dots
  We calculate the electron-phonon interaction coefficients for surface acoustic waves and for phonons in free standing quantum wells. These are used to derive the inelastic current through a double quantum dot caused by spontaneous emission of phonons. For the case of the free standing structure (phonon cavity), we predict a staircase-like inelastic current superimposed by van Hove singularities. Therefore, the phonon confinement can be detected by electron transport measurements. 
S. Debald (1), T. Vorrath (1), T. Brandes (1 and 2), B. Kramer (1)   ((1) Hamburg (Germany), (2) UMIST (Manchester, UK))