Electron-induced two-electron emission from ultrathin magnetic films

Abstract

The spin- and symmetry-resolved electronic structure of ultrathin magnetic Co films on Cu(001), calculated self-consistently by a full-potential method, is shown to manifest itself in detail in the spin- and momentum-resolved reaction cross section of electron pairs, which are emitted due to the collision of spin-polarized low-energy electrons with valence electrons. This $(e,2e)$ process is subject to spin and spatial selection rules. If there is a spatial symmetry plane normal to the reaction plane, spin-polarized primary electrons selectively probe equal- and opposite-spin valence electrons.