Spin-dependent electron emission from metals in the neutralization of He+ ions

Abstract

We calculate the spin-polarization of electrons emitted in the neutralization of He+ ions interacting with metals. All stages of the emission process are included: the spin-dependent perturbation induced by the projectile, the excitation of electrons in Auger neutralization processes, the creation of a cascade of secondaries, and the escape of the electrons through the surface potential barrier. The model allows us to explain in quantitative terms the measured spin-polarization of the yield in the interaction of spin-polarized He+ ions with paramagnetic surfaces, and to disentangle the role played by each of the involved mechanisms. We show that electron-electron scattering processes at the surface determine the spin-polarization of the total yield. High energy emitted electrons are the ones providing direct information on the He+ ion neutralization process and on the electronic properties of the surface. © 2005 The American Physical Society.