Interference and dephasing by electron-electron interaction on length scales shorter than the elastic mean free path

A modified Youngs double-slit experiment is realized for electrons in a high-mobility two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). The observed quantum interference is employed to study dephasing by electron-electron interaction on length scales shorter than the elastic mean free path. It is found that the measured phase-breaking length agrees very well with theoretical calculations of the e-e mean free path in an ideal 2DEG. In contrast to the diffusive regime, dephasing occurs via e-e scattering events with an energy exchange on the order of the carrier excess energy. © 1991 The American Physical Society.