Total scattering cross section of spin-polarized low-energy electrons in transition metals

We analyze the low-energy (5-50 eV) electron inelastic mean free path in tr ansition metals in the framework of a simple density-of-state model. We est ablish relations between the scattering cross section and the hole numbers. This allows us to disentangle the different electron-electron scattering c hannels and, using recently available experimental data, to probe the energ y dependence of the exchange matrix element. A critical review of the liter ature leads us to propose numerical mean free path expressions, relevant fo r several materials.