Quantum-well state induced oscillations of the electron-spin motion in Au films on Co(001)

Abstract

We report on spin-polarized electron reflection experiments in which the electron-spin motion is studied in spin-dependent quantum-well structures. Quantum-well state induced oscillations of both the electron reflectivity and the electron-spin motion are observed in the system $\mathrm{Au}∕\mathrm{Co}(001)$ as a function of the Au overlayer thickness. A Fabry-P\'erot interferometer model can explain the main features of the experimental data. We discuss the influence of the spin-dependent reflectivity, the inelastic mean free path, the diffusively scattered electron intensity contribution, and the growth mode on the behavior of the electron-spin motion within the interferometer model.