Low field magnetoresistance and hall effect in thin metallic films

Abstract

Using the Boltzmann transport equation, expressions have been derived for the magnetoresistance and Hall coefficient in thin metallic films. The analysis has been carried out for low magnetic flux density (∼10 4 gauss) and is a special case of more general work by Sondheimer. It has been found that the Hall coefficient shows a size effect. To a first order approximation, metals are known not to exhibit magnetoresistance. Reduction of the thickness introduces a constraint on the motion of the charge carriers in the magnetic field and hence they do show a magnetoresistance to a first order approximation. The theoretical and experimental data match well with data on potassium and gold thin films.