Spin-orbit coupling in scattering of very low-energy spin-polarized electrons from Co film by (e,2e) spectroscopy

Highlights: • Low energy spin-polarized electrons incident on a thin Co film excited emergent electron pairs which are energy and time correlated. • The observed electron-pair shows an asymmetry spectrum reflecting the energy dependent spin asymmetry of the spectral density function of the Co film. • Opposite film magnetizations show spin-orbit asymmetry decreasing with increase of the primary energy from 9 to 30 eV. - Abstract: Energy and momentum distributions of correlated electron pairs excited by very low energy (9–30 eV) spin-polarized electrons from a thin Co film on a single crystal of W(110) were detected and analysed. Polarization of the incident electrons was perpendicular to the scattering plane. Spin effects are presented in form of asymmetry A = (I⁺ − I⁻)/(I⁺ + I⁻), where I⁺ and I⁻ are two-electron spectra recorded with incident electrons polarization parallel or anti-parallel to the magnetization of the sample, respectively. Performing measurements at two opposite magnetizations of the sample and assuming negligible interference between spin orbit coupling and exchange effect in scattering, two component of asymmetry can be extracted, namely a spin-orbit asymmetry A_SO and an exchange asymmetry A_ex. The spin-orbit component of the scattering asymmetry was analysed as a function of the primary energy. Contrary to normal expectations the value of spin-orbit asymmetry decreases with increase of the primary energy in the energy range from 9 to 30 eV.