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Title: Controlling spin–orbit interaction in a ferromagnetic Fe/Au double layer

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4906932· OSTI ID:22415194
; ;  [1]; ;  [2];  [3]
  1. School of Physics, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009 (Australia)
  2. Research Institute of Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034 (Russian Federation)
  3. Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, the University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009 (Australia)

Using spin-polarized single- and two-electron spectroscopy, we probe exchange and spin–orbit interaction in a double layer of Fe and Au on W(110) and measure the spin asymmetry of the Bloch spectral density function of the sample. In a 5 ML iron film, the spin-orbit contribution to the measured asymmetry of the (e,2e) spectra was not detectable, whereas a deposition of about 1 ML of gold introduced a substantial spin-orbit component in the measured asymmetry. At the same time, this double layer still exhibits ferromagnetic properties: (i) the spectral density function asymmetry demonstrate imbalance of spin-up and spin-down electron densities in the valence band and (ii) the Stoner excitation asymmetry has almost the same value as in a pure Fe film.

OSTI ID:
22415194
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 106, Issue 4; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English