Spin-polarized (e,2e) spectroscopy of ferromagnetic iron

The scattering of spin-polarized electrons from a ferromagnetic iron surfac e (1 1 0) is studied using spin-resolved two-electron coincidence spectrosc opy ((e,2e) technique) in the reflection mode. The (e,2e) spectra are measu red for parallel and antiparallel alignment of the sample's magnetization d irection with the polarization vector of the incident electron beam. It is found that the main contribution to the asymmetry of the (e,2e) spectra is due to the exchange interaction; spin-orbit effect is negligible. The sign and the magnitude of the asymmetry are determined by the spin polarization of the sample and by the exchange-induced asymmetry in the electron-electro n scattering. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.