A general expression is obtained for the magnetoresistance tensor of a solid containing a small number of macroscopic inhomogeneities. The result is used to show that a wide variety of inclusions will generate a linear transverse magnetoresistance in a free-electron metal at high fields. Voids or other nonconducting defects are found to produce a linear longitudinal as well as a linear transverse magnetoresistance. The applicability of the theory to the properties of real metals is briefly discussed.

• Received 16 June 1975

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.13.1434