Projects

Photoemission of Spin-Polarized Electrons from Chiral Tungsten Surfaces

In conjunction with Dr. Elaine's Seddon's group from Manchester University in the UK, we are investigating the effect that the geometry of a surface can have on the electrons contained within the material. Theoretical calculations performed by Nathan Lewis from Seddon's group have shown that an electron spin polarization is expected in 2-dimensionally chiral surfaces. This polarization is not present in an achiral surface, and inverts in sign when the opposite enantiomer is simulated. Using ultraviolet radiation from the Elettra synchrotron in Italy, we probe the electrons contained in the surface of W(321) and W(-3-2-1) to search for the polarizations which were theoretically predicted.