The electronic properties of metals are usually well described by Fermi-liquid theory. However, whether it still applies to very thin metal films has been unclear. Now, measurement of the lifetime of hot electrons in lead films just a few monolayers thick suggests that it does, and in turn provides a reliable means for determining the lifetime of excited carriers in bulk metals.
- Patrick S. Kirchmann
- Laurenz Rettig
- Uwe Bovensiepen
