Monte Carlo studies of Mott scattering asymmetries from gold foils - art. no. 052713

We present the results of a series of model Monte Carlo calculations of the scattering of spin-polarized electrons from gold foil targets. Our calcula tions examine the behavior of the left-right scattering asymmetry A as a fu nction of various parameters conventionally used in extrapolation of the le ft-right asymmetry to single-atom and/or elastic scattering conditions. The se parameters include target thickness. scattered count rate, and the maxim um energy that an electron can have lost in the target and still be detecte d. Data are obtained at incident electron energies of 10-120 keV. with dete ctor-subtended half-cone angles of 5 degrees, 10 degrees, and 20 degrees, a nd gold foils of average thickness varying from 3 to 1000 Angstrom. Both el astic and inelastic electron scattering effects have been considered. Compa risons of our results are made with existing measurements and theoretical m odels. We make recommendations concerning extrapolation algorithms and for future experiments to test the present Mott scattering Monte Carlo model.