Stoner Transitions and Spin-Selective Excitations in bcc Cobalt

Abstract
Spin-selective excitations (Stoner excitations) have been unambiguously identified by comparisons between spin-polarized-electron energy-loss spectra and calculated transition density of states. Analysis of the specular beam for polarized electrons incident on thin films of bcc Co shows three sharp, highly polarized loss features (background corrected asymmetry near 100%). Comparison with the theoretical Stoner and spin-nonflip transition density of states shows excellent agreement, permitting identification of the associated loss mechanisms.