Gold electron spins mapped in full resolve decades-old surface debate

by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Nov 24, 2025

Researchers at the Institute for Molecular Science have addressed a 20-year controversy regarding the electron spin direction on gold surfaces. Their team employed a Photoelectron Momentum Microscope at the UVSOR synchrotron to capture comprehensive two-dimensional images of the Au(111) Shockley surface state, providing direct data on both spin orientation and orbital shape through a projection-based approach.

The results validated the Rashba effect on gold surfaces, assigning a clockwise spin texture to the outer electron band and a counter-clockwise texture to the inner band, as observed from the vacuum side. These findings present a reliable reference dataset for future spin-resolved photoemission studies relevant to spintronic device development.

Noble metals such as gold display a confined electron layer at their top atomic layers, known as the Shockley surface state. The perpendicular electric field generated by surface asymmetry leads to the Rashba effect, splitting electrons into two rings with opposite spin directions. Prior studies conflicted over which ring corresponded to which spin direction due to differing experimental setups and analysis methods. The IMS team applied a refined imaging approach to settle this critical assignment.

The experiments used a twin-hemispherical-analyzer microscope, which simultaneously maps wide regions of electron momentum and energy. Spin detection relied on a Spin Rotator and a two-dimensional Spin Filter. Calibration against a magnetized nickel reference ensured accurate absolute spin measurements.

Difference images with opposing spin sensitivities clearly determined the disputed assignments: the outer electron band rotates clockwise, and the inner band rotates counter-clockwise, when seen from the vacuum side. Experiments also revealed the contributions from 6s and 6p orbitals, confirmed by observing an orbital selection rule where photoelectron emission intensity drops to zero perpendicular to the light's electric-field vector.

The methodology enables fast, calibrated mapping of two-dimensional spin and orbital textures using polarization-controlled ultraviolet light. The technique provides a reference for future mapping of spin textures in other materials, supporting efforts in designing spintronic technologies based on electron spin properties.

Research Report:Spin and Orbital Polarizations of Au(111) Surface State Determined by Photoelectron Momentum Microscope