Mixed (1D-2D) quantum electron transport in percolating gold film

The gold film (mean thickness $\approx$ 3.5 nm) was condensed in high vacuum at temperature 70 K on single-crystal sapphire substrate. The transport properties of the film at low temperature reveal simultaneously indications of 1D and 2D quantum interference effects of weak localization and electron-electron interaction. It is shown that this behavior is determined by inhomogeneous electron transport at the threshold of thickness-controlled metal-insulator transition.