Studies of weak localization by scattering from vapor atoms for electrons o
n a liquid He-4 surface near 2 K are presented. The dephasing time due to t
he motion of helium atoms perpendicular to the plane of electrons is studie
d by increasing the DC electric field forcing the electrons against the sur
face of the liquid. This contribution varies approximately linearly with th
e spatial extension of the electron wave function. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc
e B.V. All rights reserved.