Spin-polarized photoemission study of epitaxial Fe(001) films on Ag(001)

Abstract

The electronic and magnetic character of epitaxial Fe films on Ag(001) has been studied as a function of Fe coverage by spin- and angle-resolved photoemission with synchrotron radiation. At coverages well below a monolayer, the spectra exhibit a local spin-split electronic state. Although spectra for films in the monolayer coverage range display electronic structure in close agreement with calculated monolayer film critical-point energies, no spin polarization is observed up to 2.5 monolayers coverage. Thicker films approach the spin-split electronic structure and spin polarization of bulk Fe(001).