Spin resolved bandstructure imaging with a high resolution momentum microscope

Abstract

We present a spin resolving "momentum microscope" for the high resolution imaging of the momentum distribution of photoelectrons. Measurements of the band structure of a Au(111) single crystal surface demonstrate an energy resolution of ΔE=12 meV and a momentum resolution of Δk∥=0.0049 Å(-1), measured at the line-width of the spin-orbit split Shockley surface state. The relative accuracy of the k∥ measurement in the order of 10(-4) Å(-1) reveals a deviation from the ideal two-dimensional free electron gas model of the Shockley surface state, manifested in a threefold radial symmetry. Spin resolution in the full momentum image is obtained by an imaging spin-filter based on low-energy electron diffraction at a Au passivated Ir(100) single crystal. Using working points at 10.5 eV and 11.5 eV scattering energy with a completely reversed asymmetry of ±60% we demonstrate the efficient mapping of the spin texture of the Au(111) surface state.