SPIN POLARIZATION IN DOUBLE DIFFRACTION OF LOW-ENERGY ELECTRONS FROM W(001) - EXPERIMENT AND THEORY

We report on the first successful double-scattering low-energy electron diffraction experiment, which clearly reveals spin-polarization effects. Polarization and intensity of the specular beam from W(001) have been measured as functions of the azimuthal angle of incidence (rotation diagrams"). The agreement of the data with their theoretical counterparts is quite satisfactory. High polarization sensitivity and detector efficiency in the present experiment demonstrate the feasibility of a new type of spin-polarization detector. © 1979 The American Physical Society."