Resistance and Magnetoresistance of Thin Indium Wires

The resistances of indium wires of diameter ranging between 0.642 and 0.0156 mm were measured at regular temperature intervals between 1.2 and 4.2^∘{}K and in transverse magnetic fields up to 18 kG. The bulk resistivity at 4.2^∘{}K, ρb(4.2)=(0.93±0.03)×10^-9 Ω cm, and bulk mean free path, lb(4.2)=(1.61±0.08)×10^-2 cm, deduced from our data agree with other recent measurements, as does the average Fermi momentum, pF=(1.0±0.15)×10^-19 g cm/sec, determined from observations of the MacDonald---Sarginson effect. Size-dependent deviations from Kohler's rule suggest that a new magnetoresistive mechanism may be effective in wires of very small diameter ($d<0.08$ mm). Comparison of the product ρblb at 4.2 and 0^∘{}K shows evidence of the size- and temperature-dependent resistivity contribution observed previously in indium and a number of other metals.