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Local spin polarization at surfaces probed by hollow atoms
M Unipan1, A Robin, R Morgenstern
1KVI Atomic Physics, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands.
Physical Review Letters
|May 23, 2006
Summary
Multiply charged ions interacting with surfaces reveal surface spin polarization. This technique uses Auger electron spectra to measure spin states, showing ~90% polarization in ferromagnetic nickel at room temperature.
Area of Science:
- Surface science
- Atomic physics
- Solid-state physics
Background:
- Hollow atoms formed by ion-surface interactions emit characteristic Auger electron spectra.
- Auger electron spectra can serve as fingerprints for ion-surface interactions.
- Local spin ordering at surfaces influences these spectra.
Purpose of the Study:
- To probe local spin ordering at surfaces using Auger electron spectroscopy.
- To relate changes in spin state intensities to surface spin polarization.
- To demonstrate the potential of this method with specific ion-surface interactions.
Main Methods:
- Impacting surfaces with slow multiply charged ions (He(2+) and N(6+)).
- Analyzing the resulting characteristic Auger electron spectra.
- Correlating spectral intensity variations with local spin polarization.
Main Results:
- The method probes spin polarization within a small surface area (a few Angstrom(2)).
- Auger spectra from He(2+) and N(6+) ions on a ferromagnetic Ni(110) crystal were analyzed.
- A surface spin polarization of approximately 90% was determined at room temperature.
Conclusions:
- Auger electron spectroscopy following multiply charged ion-surface interaction is a viable method for probing surface spin polarization.
- The technique provides high sensitivity, capable of detecting significant spin polarization even at room temperature.
- This method offers a localized probe of magnetic properties at surfaces.