Nyquist phase relaxation in one-dimensional metal films

Abstract

We have measured the magnetoresistance of narrow (600--1000 \AA{}) and thin (150--200 \AA{}) gold films, one dimensional with respect to weak localization and electron-electron interaction effects. It is shown that electron-electron collisions with small energy transfer (Nyquist phase-breaking mechanism) govern the phase relaxation in such films over a wide temperature range. The Nyquist time ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathit{N}}$ was estimated from the magnetoresistance data on the basis of the theoretical dependence \ensuremath{\Delta}${\mathit{R}}_{\mathrm{loc}}$(H) that is applicable to the case when Nyquist phase relaxation dominates other phase-breaking proceses. The temperature dependence ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathit{N}}$(T)\ensuremath{\propto}${\mathit{T}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2/3}$ obtained in this way is in good agreement with the theoretical prediction for one-dimensional conductors.