Photoemission of a quantum cavity with a nonmagnetic spin separator

Quantum well states are a consequence of confinement in a quantum cavity. In this study we investigate with photoemission the influence of the interface electronic structure on the quantum well state energy dispersion in ultrathin Mg(0001) films on W(110). Coupling between the sp-derived quantum well states and the substrate across the interface becomes manifest in a deviation from free electronlike dispersion behavior. Most importantly, we observe a marked level splitting, which is interpreted as due to the Rashba effect at the interface. Such an interfacial electron beam splitting on materials with strong spin-orbit coupling is an essential ingredient for novel spintronic devices. The combination of a quantum cavity with a heavy, electron reflecting substrate reveals spin-splitting effects in ultrathin films without conventional magnetism being involved.