The analysis of quantum corrections to magnetoconductivity of thin Au
films responsible for the effect of weak electron localization has mad
e it possible to determine the temperature dependences of electron pha
se relaxation time in the temperature range 0.5-50 K for different deg
rees of crystal lattice disorder. The disorder was enhanced by irradia
ting the films in vacuum with 3.5-keV Ar ions. The experimental data c
learly demonstrate that the contribution of electron-electron interact
ion to electron phase relaxation increases with disorder and support t
he theoretical prediction that the frequency of electron-phonon scatte
ring tends to diminish upon a decrease in electron mean free path. It
is found that the spin-orbit scattering rate decreases with disorder.
In our opinion, such unusual behavior can take place for thin films up
on decreasing the electron mean free path, provided that the surface e
lectron scattering contributes significantly to the total spin-orbit s
cattering. [S0163-1829(98)06636-3].