Localization Length in Anderson Insulator with Kondo Impurities

S. Kettemann, M. E. Raikh

Published 2002-09-13, updated 2003-05-05Version 2

The localization length, $\xi$, in a 2--dimensional Anderson insulator depends on the electron spin scattering rate by magnetic impurities, $\tau_s^{-1}$. For antiferromagnetic sign of the exchange, %constant, the time $\tau_s$ is {\em itself a function of $\xi$}, due to the Kondo correlations. We demonstrate that the unitary regime of localization is impossible when the concentration of magnetic impurities, $n_{\tiny M}$, is smaller than a critical value, $n_c$. For $n_{\tiny M}>n_c$, the dependence of $\xi$ on the dimensionless conductance, $g$, is {\em reentrant}, crossing over to unitary, and back to orthogonal behavior upon increasing $g$. Sensitivity of Kondo correlations to a weak {\em parallel} magnetic field results in a giant parallel magnetoresistance.