Spin-Orbit and Exchange Effects in Elastic Scattering of Spin-Polarized Electrons from Spin-Polarized Na Atoms

Abstract
We report the first measurements of elastic scattering of spin-polarized electrons from spin-polarized Na atoms as a function of scattering angle. The incident energy is 54.4 eV, and the angular range is 20° - 135°. Data are presented as an exchange asymmetry and a spin-orbit asymmetry. Each asymmetry has a magnitude of 3% to 4%, indicating that both the exchange and spin-orbit interactions must be taken into account to predict our experimental results.