Electron Spin Polarization in Energy- and Angle-Resolved Photoemission from W(001): Experiment and Theory

Abstract

We report on a new phenomenon in solid-state photoemission, the emission of spin-polarized electrons from nonmagnetic crystals by unpolarized light. It becomes observable in fully energy-, angle-, and electron-spin-resolved measurements, the first of which is presented here. It is explained in terms of "final-state spin-polarization effects," a new theoretical approach which is outlined. Fairly good agreement between experimental and theoretical results is found. These polarization effects also suggest a new way for analyzing photoelectron spin polarization.