SPIN-POLARIZED PHOTOELECTRONS WITH UNPOLARIZED LIGHT IN NORMAL EMISSION FROM PT(110)

The normally emitted photoelectrons of the reconstructed (1 X 2) surface of Pt(110) caused by off-normally incoming, unpolarized light are spin polarized. Measurements have been performed with the light of a gas discharge tube and spin polarization of up to 20% has been found for the spin polarization perpendicular to the reaction plane, defined by the momenta of incoming photon and outgoing electron beam. The polarization depends significantly on a rotation of the crystal about the surface normal. The experimental data are in good agreement with theoretical calculations of Feder's group [1] based upon the theory describing the photoemission in the ''one-step model''.