Electron-electron scattering and magnetoresistance of ballistic microcontacts

K. E. Nagaev, T. V. Kostyuchenko

Published 2009-09-18, updated 2010-03-27Version 2

Using a semiclassical Boltzmann equation, we calculate corrections to the Sharvin conductance of a wide 2DEG ballistic contact that result from an electron--electron scattering in the leads. These corrections are dominated by collisions of electrons with nearly opposite momenta that come from different reservoirs. They are positive, increase with temperature, and are strongly suppressed by a magnetic field. We argue that this suppression may be responsible for an anomalous positive magnetoresistance observed in a recent experiment.