Energy- and Momentum-Resolved Exchange and Spin-Orbit Interaction in Cobalt Film by Spin-Polarized Two-Electron Spectroscopy

Spontaneous ordering of electronic spins in ferromagnetic materials is one of the best known and most studied examples of quantum correlations. Exchange correlations are responsible for long range spin order and the spin-orbit interaction (SOI) can create preferred crystalline directions for the spins, i.e., magnetic anisotropy. Presented experimental data illustrate how novel spin-polarized two-electron spectroscopy in-reflection mode allows observation of the localization of spin-dependent interactions in energy-momentum space. Comparison of spin-orbit asymmetries in spectra of Co film and clean W(110) may indicate the presence of interface specific proximity effects providing important clues to the formation of preferred orientations for the magnetic moment of the Co film. These results may help to understand the microscopic origin of interface magnetic anisotropy.