Surface Scattering of Electrons in Magnetic Surface States

Abstract

Abstract The scattering rate 1/τ of magnetic surface states due to scattering at a rough surface is calculated in the Born approximation. In the regime of small angle scattering, we obtain 1/τ ∼ B in small magnetic fields B , 1/τ ∼ B 4/3 ( n + 3/4) 1/3 for intermediate field strengths, and 1/τ ∼ B 2 in larger fields. The B 4/3 ( n + 3/4) 1/3 law agrees with the quasiclassical theory of surface scattering which holds for magnetic surface states with a large quantum number n in a rather large range of magnetic field strengths. When large angle scattering is predominant, a scattering rate 1/τ ∼ B is obtained throughout.