Bulk-sensitive spin-resolved resonant electron energy-loss spectroscopy (SR-rEELS): Observation of element- and spin-selective bulk plasmons.

We have developed spin-resolved resonant electron energy-loss spectroscopy with the primary energy of 0.3-1.5 keV, which corresponds to the core excitations of 2p-3d absorption of transition metals and 3d-4f absorption of rare-earths, with the energy resolution of about 100 meV using a spin-polarized electron source as a GaAs/GaAsP strained superlattice photocathode. Element- and spin-selective carrier and valence plasmons can be observed using the resonance enhancement of core absorptions and electron spin polarization. Furthermore, bulk-sensitive electron energy-loss spectroscopy spectra can be obtained because the primary energy corresponds to the mean free path of 1-10 nm. The methodology is expected to provide us with novel information about elementary excitations by resonant inelastic x-ray scattering and resonant photoelectron spectroscopy.