Narrow quantum wires of sufficiently high mobility exhibit an anomalous, low-field magnetoresistance peak at a position scaling as the ratio of the Fermi wave vector to the wire width. We investigate this effect varying temperature, electron density, sample geometry, and method of lateral confinement. The data we obtain are consistent with a classical explanation based upon a diffuse component of electron scattering at the edges of the wire.

• Received 25 August 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.63.2128