Walters, G. King2009-06-042009-06-041989Hammond, Mark Stuart. "Investigations of surface electronic structure and surface-atom interactions with spin-polarized metastable atom de-excitation spectroscopy." (1989) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/16237">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/16237</a>.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/16237Metastable Atom De-excitation Spectroscopy (MDS) provides a powerful technique with which to investigate surface electronic structure with unparalleled surface specificity. In this technique a thermal energy beam of noble-gas metastable atoms is directed at the surface to be studied and the kinetic energy distribution of ejected electrons that result from metastable atom de-excitation is measured. Although the measured distribution contains information about the electronic structure of the outermost surface layer, its detailed analysis requires knowledge of the dynamics of the metastable atom-surface interaction. In the present work, these dynamics have been investigated directly by use of spin-labeling techniques. The electron spins on the incident metastable atoms are polarized and the spin-polarization of the ejected electrons is measured with a Mott polarimeter. Energy-integrated electron spin-polarization (ESP) measurements for Pd(110) and energy-resolved ESP measurements for Cu(100) surfaces under a variety of conditions indicate that metastable atom-surface interactions are more complex than has been assumed in past MDS studies. Spin-polarized MDS has also proven useful in the study of surface magnetism. The present work includes a study of the surface electronic and magnetic structure of the Fe(110) surface. Results indicate an interesting reversal of surface electron spin-polarization for Fe(110) surfaces exposed to oxygen.98 p.application/pdfengCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.Condensed matter physicsAtomic physicsThesisThesis Phys. 1989 Hammond