Angular distribution and spin polarization of Auger-electrons from a potassium (110) surface

• Published in: Journal of physics. Condensed matter 1999-03, Vol.11 (8), p.1861-1872
• Main Authors: Kucherenko, Yu, Rennert, P, Yavorsky, B Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Electron and ion emission by liquids and solids; impact phenomena; Electron impact: auger emission; Exact sciences and technology; Impact phenomena (including electron spectra and sputtering); Metals. Metallurgy; Physics
• ISSN: 0953-8984; 1361-648X
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/11/8/001

The calculations of the spin-polarized M sub 2.3 VV Auger-electron emission following a core-hole excitation by circularly polarized photons from a potassium (110) surface has been performed. The angular distribution of the Auger-electron intensity is discussed and different factors determining the spin polarization of Auger-electrons are examined. It has been shown that the strong angular dependence of the Auger-electron spin polarization, predicted by the atomic model (where only the (ss) two-hole final state is considered), is substantially suppressed by contributions from the p- and d-states in the valence band of potassium crystal. This almost isotropic Auger emission can be significantly modified (particularly with respect to the angular distribution of the intensity) if the diffraction of the outgoing Auger wave on the atoms of the crystal is taken into account. In order to achieve a quantitative agreement of the calculated results with the available experimental data. the theoretical models should be improved to be valid for the accurate treatment of the scattering processes at small kinetic energies of the excited electrons.