Anisotropic magnetoresistance in thin inhomogeneous gold films

We investigate the magnetoresistance (MR) of thininhomogeneous gold films applying the magnetic field perpendicular as well as parallel to the film plane. The MR-data show a strong anisotropy which can be well explained within the theory of weak electron localization (WEL) in 2d for both field orientations. The important results is that fitting the MR-data for both orientations by the corresponding theoretical expressions we obtain nearly identical values for the phase coherence lengthsL and its temperature dependence. This confirms (i) the correctness of the fitting process and (ii) the validity of the theory. From this we conclude that WEL in 2d can also be used to describe the MR ofinhomogeneous films.