We study Shubnikov de Haas (SdH) oscillations in a nonplanar stripe-shaped
two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). The effective-field normal to the nonp
lanar 2DEG is spatially modulated, when uniform external magnetic field is
applied. We find that the amplitude of the SdH oscillations dramatically dr
ops in the tilted magnetic field. From the Dingle plot of SdH oscillations
we extract single-particle relaxation time. Reduction of this time in the t
ilted field, which leads to the enhanced damping of SdH oscillations, is sh
own to be due to the scattering of the electron by magnetic-field fluctuati
ons. We calculate quantum lifetime of the electron in a tilted magnetic fie
ld. The agreement between these calculations and experimental result is fou
nd. In order to explain the damping of the SdH oscillations for magnetic fi
eld B>1 T we also take into account the spatial variation of the Landau fil
ling factor. [S0163-1829(99)01008-5].