Abstract
A low-energy electron which reflects off a crystal surface couples to particle-hole excitations through the Coulomb interaction. This leads to a contribution to the electron-energy-loss spectrum peaked about the specular direction. It is pointed out that if the material is a ferromagnet, a spin dependence of the near-specular loss spectrum occurs as a consequence of interference between the direct Coulomb matrix element, and the non-spin-flip portion of the exchange coupling of the incident electron to the particle-hole spectrum. It is suggested that this interference effect, and not spin-flip scattering, is responsible for the spin-dependent feature reported by Kirschner, Rebenstorff, and Ibach in their study of the near-specular electron-energy-loss spectrum of the Ni(110) surface. In principle a direct experimental test of this proposal is possible.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
