Spin-polarized Auger-electron diffraction study of the magnetic poisoning of Fe(001) by sulfur

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.52.R6955· OSTI ID:115842

Sinkovic, B ^[1]; Johnson, P D; Brookes, N B; Clarke, A ^[2]; Smith, N V ^[3]

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1. Department of Physics, New York University, New York, New York 10003 (United States)
2. Department of Physics, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973 (United States)
3. Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)

Spin-polarized angle-resolved sulfur {ital L}{sub 2,3}{ital VV} Auger-electron spectra have been recorded for the {ital c}(2{times}2)S/Fe(001) system. The data show the modulation of the sulfur Auger spin polarization as a function of emission angle, which represents an observation of spin-polarized Auger-electron diffraction (SPAED), a potentially powerful tool for the study of local magnetic structure at surfaces, interfaces, and thin films. Theoretical modeling of the SPAED data indicates a large decrease in the magnetization of the top iron layer, suggesting a magnetic poisoning induced by the sulfur overlayer. These findings are independently supported by the observation of a large decrease of secondary electron spin polarization upon sulfur adsorption.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 115842
• Journal Information: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 52; ISSN 0163-1829; ISSN PRBMDO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
66 PHYSICS
ADSORPTION
ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION
AUGER ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
ELECTRON DIFFRACTION
IRON
MAGNETISM
POLARIZATION
SULFUR ADDITIONS
SURFACE PROPERTIES