We present quantum mechanical calculations of electron capture rates in cylindrical quantum wires via polar‐optical phonon scattering. The capture rate dependence on quantum wire radius and lattice temperature is investigated. An oscillatory behavior of the electron capture rate is observed as a function of the quantum wire radius at the temperatures considered in this study (20–300 K). However, the amplitude of these oscillations decreases significantly at large wire radii and high lattice temperatures. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.