We report magnetoresistance studies of Al and Ag wires of width 35 to 110 nm which probe the electron phase-breaking rate. We find that this rate at low temperatures is determined by one-dimensional electron-electron scattering with small energy transfers. This confirms the importance of this mechanism for electron energy loss in one-dimensional systems, as suggested by Al'tshuler et al., and defines clearly the relevant dimensional length scales.

• Received 28 March 1986

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.57.633