Dephasing of electrons in mesoscopic metal wires due to zero-point fluctuations of optically active localized plasmon modes

TL;DR

This paper investigates how zero-point fluctuations of localized plasmon modes on rough metal wire surfaces induce local magnetization, affecting electron dephasing times similarly to magnetic impurities, revealing a novel dephasing mechanism.

Contribution

It introduces a new dephasing mechanism caused by zero-point fluctuations of localized plasmon modes on metal surfaces, linking optical surface phenomena to electron coherence.

Findings

Zero-point fluctuations produce local DC magnetization.

Magnetization affects electron dephasing times.

Dephasing mechanism similar to magnetic impurities.

Abstract

Optically active localized plasmon modes may be very abundant on a rough surface of a metal wire. Zero-point fluctuations of these modes are shown to produce local DC magnetization. Thus, the effect of these modes on the electron dephasing time is similar to the effect of magnetic impurities.