Monte Carlo studies of Mott scattering asymmetries from gold foils

We present the results of a series of model Monte Carlo calculations of the scattering of spin-polarized electrons from gold foil targets. Our calculations examine the behavior of the left-right scattering asymmetry A as a function of various parameters conventionally used in extrapolation of the left-right asymmetry to single-atom and/or elastic scattering conditions. These parameters include target thickness. scattered count rate, and the maximum energy that an electron can have lost in the target and still be detected. Data are obtained at incident electron energies of 10-120 keV. with detector-subtended half-cone angles of 5 degrees, 10 degrees, and 20 degrees, and gold foils of average thickness varying from 3 to 1000 Angstrom. Both elastic and inelastic electron scattering effects have been considered. Comparisons of our results are made with existing measurements and theoretical models. We make recommendations concerning extrapolation algorithms and for future experiments to test the present Mott scattering Monte Carlo model.