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Spin-orbit splitting of image states

J R McLaughlan·E M Llewellyn-Samuel·S Crampin
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Abstract

We quantify the effect of the spin-orbit interaction on the Rydberg-like series of image state electrons at the (111) and (001) surface of Ir, Pt and Au. Using relativistic multiple-scattering methods we find Rashba-like dispersions with Delta E(K)=gamma K with values of gamma for n=1 states in the range 38-88 meV Angstrom. Extending the phase-accumulation model to include spin-orbit scattering we find that the splittings vary like 1/(n+a)^3 where a is the quantum defect and that they are related to the probability of spin-flip scattering at the surface. The splittings should be observable experimentally being larger in magnitude than some exchange-splittings that have been resolved by inverse photoemission, and are comparable to linewidths from inelastic lifetimes.

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J R McLaughlan, E M Llewellyn-Samuel, S Crampin. 2004-07-08. Spin-orbit splitting of image states. https://doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984%2F16%2F39%2F017

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