Spin excitations in ferromagnetic Ni: Electrons and neutrons as a probe

We present theoretical calculations of the contribution to the spin polarized electron energy loss spectrum of ferromagnetic Ni. We find, save for the wave-vector transfer near the center of the Brillouin zone, the spin-wave loss feature is obscured by low-lying Stoner excitations, in contrast to Fe. Our calculations, and earlier work, show that in inelastic neutron-scattering studies of spin waves in Ni, the spin-wave loss peak dominates. The physical reason for this difference is discussed.