Nonbackscattering Contribution to the Weak Localization

TL;DR

This paper investigates how weak localization effects involve a reduction in scattering in directions other than backscattering, affecting quantum corrections to conductivity especially under strong magnetic fields.

Contribution

It introduces a simple quasiclassical interpretation of nonbackscattering contributions to weak localization, highlighting their impact on quantum conductivity corrections.

Findings

Backscattering enhancement is accompanied by reduced scattering in other directions.

Reduction in scattering decreases quantum correction to conductivity.

Effect is significant beyond the diffusion approximation, especially in strong magnetic fields.

Abstract

We show that the enhancement of backscattering responsible for the weak localization is accompanied by reduction of the scattering in other directions. A simple quasiclassical interpretation of this phenomenon is presented in terms of a small change in the effective differential cross-section for a single impurity. The reduction of the scattering at the arbitrary angles leads to the decrease of the quantum correction to the conductivity. Within the diffusion approximation this decrease is small, but it should be taken into account in the case of a relatively strong magnetic field when the diffusion approximation is not valid.