Suppression of inelastic electron-electron scattering in Anderson Insulators

TL;DR

This paper investigates how inelastic electron-electron scattering is suppressed in Anderson insulators, revealing a discreteness in the energy spectrum through absorption measurements at low frequencies.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence that in Anderson insulators, electron-electron scattering is suppressed, indicating a discrete energy spectrum unlike in diffusive samples.

Findings

Absorption roll-off occurs at a frequency much lower than the electron-electron scattering rate.

Results suggest the energy spectrum in Anderson insulators is discrete.

Suppression of inelastic scattering supports the localization effects in Anderson insulators.

Abstract

We report on measurements of absorption from applied ac fields in Anderson-localized indium-oxide films. The absorption shows a roll-off at a frequency that is much smaller than the electron-electron scattering rate measured at the same temperature in diffusive samples of this material. These results are interpreted as evidence for discreteness of the energy spectrum.