Excitation of spin waves at the Fe(100) surface by spin-polarized electron scattering

Inelastic scattering of low-energy electrons off Fe(100) surfaces shows a strong spin dependent energy loss feature in the range of 100-350 meV due to the excitation of spin waves. The highly asymmetric line shape is attributed to the excitation of a continuum of bulk spin waves due to nonconservation of perpendicular momentum in the scattering process.