Influence of hydrogen adsorption on the electron spin polarization (ESP) at a ferromagnetic (110)-nickel surface

Abstract

The ESP determined through electron capture by small angle reflection of deuterons at well oriented Ni(110) surfaces is found to be influenced by H 2 adsorption. A coverage of one monolayer reduces the ESP from -96 ± 3% to -8 ± 3%. The - sign indicates predominance of minority spin electrons. Desorption of hydrogen from the nickel surface restores the original polarization measured at a clean (110) nickel surface.