Nyquist phase relaxation in one-dimensional metal films

We have measured the magnetoresistance of narrow (600–1000 Å) and thin (150–200 Å) 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 ${\mathrm{\tau }}_{\mathit{N}}$ was estimated from the magnetoresistance data on the basis of the theoretical dependence Δ${\mathit{R}}_{\mathrm{loc}}$(H) that is applicable to the case when Nyquist phase relaxation dominates other phase-breaking proceses. The temperature dependence ${\mathrm{\tau }}_{\mathit{N}}$(T)∝${\mathit{T}}^{\mathrm{-}2/3}$ obtained in this way is in good agreement with the theoretical prediction for one-dimensional conductors.