Electron fractionalization-induced dephasing in Luttinger liquids

Using the appropriate fractionalization mechanism, we correctly derive the temperature (T) and interaction dependence of the electron lifetime τ_F in Luttinger liquids. For strong enough interactions, we report that (Tτ_F)αg, with g ≪ 1 being the standard Luttinger exponent; this reinforces that electrons are not good quasi-particles. We immediately emphasize that this is of importance for the detection of electronic interferences in ballistic one-dimensional rings and carbon nanotubes, inducing "dephasing" (strong reduction of Aharonov-Bohm oscillations).