On the theory of quantum interference between inelastic and elastic electron scattering events

The mechanism of weak localization of relatively fast electrons scattered with a fixed energy loss from disordered media is examined. The main focus of this paper is to put forward an explanation why coherent enhancement of electron scattering in the inelastic-scattering channel takes place at angles which differ from π. A simplified kinematic model is proposed to determine the basic properties of the weak localization of electrons in the inelastic scattering channel. The model reproduces easily the range of scattering angles typical of the weak localization of electrons with a fixed energy loss. The procedure does not require calculation of the contribution from the crossed diagrams. The results agree with those based on the dynamical theory associated with the calculation of the crossed and ladder diagrams. It is possible to follow the transition from the new type of weak localization to the ordinary weak localization with decreasing energy loss. The new-type weak localization is in agreement with the regular weak localization if the energy loss is approximately equal to the energy of an optical phonon. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 111, 1001–1015 (March 1997) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Reproduced here with stylistic changes by the Translation Editor.