Spin-Polarized Inverse Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Solid Surfaces: Ni(110)

Inverse photoemission spectra have been measured on Ni(110) at 9.7-eV photon energy with a spin-polarized electron source. Consistent with band theory, a $d$-band-derived peak is observed just above the Fermi level that corresponds to transitions to minority-spin states only, and which increases in intensity and displays a slight (0.1-eV) energy dispersion as the angle of electron incidence is increased. The inelastic background displays an unexpected nonzero (∼ -5%) polarization.