Spin-dependent scattering in magnetic films, using SPLEED

Spin-polarized low energy electron diffraction (SPLEED) has been used to study spin-dependent scattering from the interfaces of a 2 ML Fe/W(110) film at incident electron energies from 30 to 90eV. The scattering geometry allows an exact separation of the polarization due to exchange and spin–orbit interactions. The experiments reveal peak values of polarization up to 40% for specific scattering conditions, and root-mean-square polarizations for 4–6% for each mechanism. The magnitude of the spin–orbit polarization is correlated with that produced by the W(110) substrate alone; the magnitude of the exchange polarization increases with film thickness.