Electron fractionalization-induced dephasing in Luttinger liquids

Using the appropriate fractionalization mechanism, we correctly derive the temperature (T) and interaction dependence of the electron lifetime ${\tau }_F$ in Luttinger liquids. For strong enough interactions, we report that $\left(T{\tau }_F\right)\propto g,$ with $g\ll 1$ being the standard Luttinger exponent; this reinforces that electrons are not good quasiparticles. We immediately emphasize that this is of importance for the detection of electronic interferences in ballistic one-dimensional rings and carbon nanotubes, inducing “dephasing” (strong reduction of Aharonov-Bohm oscillations).