Photoemission approach to spin motion in electron transmission through magnetic films

First-principles calculations demonstrate that the spin motion in electron transmission through ultrathin magnetic films can be investigated by means of spin- and angle-resolved core-level photoelectron spectroscopy. Spin motion can be viewed as precession around and relaxation towards the magnetization. For Fe films on Pd(0 0 1), its dependence on film thickness as well as on the Fe electronic structure is studied. Further, effects of the light polarization are discussed.