Spin polarization of quantum well states in copper thin films deposited on a Co(001) substrate

Abstract

Spin polarized photoemission is used to examine the spin polarization of the quantum well states observed in copper films grown on a fcc Co(001) substrate. The states are observed to predominantly carry minority spin polarization and this is shown through comparison with calculation to reflect a preferential hybridization in the interface. The calculation also provides evidence that the quantum well states observed in the experiments are not only sp derived but also reflect the hybridization with the more localized copper d bands.