University of Minnesota

Inelastic Electron Scattering off Magnetic Impurties

Abstract: Magnetic impurities affect significantly the electron kinetics in a normal metal. In addition to phase relaxation, such impurities also facilitate the energy transfer between electrons. An applied magnetic field quenches the fluctuations of localized magnetic moments, thus slowing down the electron equilibration. Further modifications of the electron relaxation come from the RKKY interaction between the magnetic impurities. These modifications gain significance with the increase of the impurity concentration. The developed theory offers a solution of the puzzle of fast electron energy relaxation in some mesoscopic metals. It also suggests a direction for new experiments.