Role of spin exchange in elastic electron scattering from magnetic surfaces

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Abstract
The role of spin-exchange processes in (quasi-)elastic electron scattering is investigated by measurement of the changes in polarization of a spin-polarized electron beam scattered in specular geometry from Ni(110) and Ni(110)O(2×1) over an energy range of 5 to 30 eV. Concurrently measuring the scattered intensity as a function of primary spin polarization yields the spin-dependent reflection coefficients. These reflection coefficients entirely account for the changes in polarization. Therefore, it is concluded that spin-exchange processes are negligible (<=3%) in the elastic channel.