  The analysis of quantum corrections to magnetoconductivity of thin Au films
responsible for by the effect of weak electron localization has made it
possible to determine the temperature dependences of electron phase relaxation
time in the temperature range 0.5--50 K for different degrees of crystal
lattice disorder. The disorder was enhanced by irradiating the films in vacuum
with 3.5 keV Ar ions. The experimental data clearly demonstrate that the
contribution of electron-electron interaction to electron phase relaxation
increases with disorder and support the theoretical prediction that the
frequency of electron-phonon scattering tends to diminish upon a decrease in
electron mean free path. It is found that the spin-orbit scattering rate
decreases with disorder. In our opinion, such unusual behavior can take place
for thin films at decreasing the electron mean free path provided, that the
surface electron scattering contributes significantly to the total spin-orbit
scattering.
