Secondary emission from W(1 1 0) excited by spin-polarized electrons

• Published in: Surface science Vol. 579; no. 2; pp. 166 - 174
• Main Authors: Samarin, S., Artamonov, O.M., Sergeant, A.D., Williams, J.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2005
• Subjects: Secondary electron emission; Spin-polarized electrons; Tungsten; Spin-polarized electrons; Tungsten; Secondary electron emission
• ISSN: 0039-6028; 1879-2758
• DOI: 10.1016/j.susc.2005.01.046

Energy distribution curves (EDC) of secondary electrons from W(1 1 0) were measured for spin-up ( I +) and spin-down ( I −) polarization of the incident beam. The intensity asymmetry, defined as A = ( I + − I −)/( I + + I −), for a certain experimental geometry was measured as large as 7%. This asymmetry was explained in terms of a “spin-filter” effect. The model assumes that the secondary electrons excited by spin-polarized primary electrons are spin-polarized inside the solid. On the way to the vacuum they undergo spin–orbit interaction on the surface barrier that provides the spin-dependent and energy selective transmission through the surface.