Spin-orbit and exchange effects in elastic scattering of spin-polarized electrons from spin-polarized Na atoms.

Abstract

We report the first measurements of elastic scattering of spin-polarized electrons from spin-polarized Na atoms as a function of scattering angle. The incident energy is 54.4 eV, and the angular range is 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} - 135\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. Data are presented as an exchange asymmetry and a spin-orbit asymmetry. Each asymmetry has a magnitude of 3% to 4%, indicating that both the exchange and spin-orbit interactions must be taken into account to predict our experimental results.