A possible explanation of the increase of the electrical resistance of thin metal films at low temperatures and small field strengths

Abstract

An explanation is tentatively suggested for the increase in resistance of certain thin metal films at low temperatures and small electrical field strengths. The film is supposed to consist of separate grains or blocks and the energy required for separation of a positive and a negative charge, located on different grains, is compared with the thermal energy kT. The resulting picture seems to describe in principle the observed increase of resistance.