Spin-polarized atomic scattering: a new probe for dynamical spin correlation at surface and interface

A spin-polarized and energy tunable cesium (133Cs) atomic beam is under development for the systematic study of the spin sensitivity of the resonant charge exchange in atom-surface scattering. The final goal of the study is to establish a new method to probe dynamical spin correlation at the topmost layer of a target surface and an adsorbate by using a spin-polarized atomic beam. By means of laser optical pumping, almost complete spin-polarization has been attained for the thermal energy atomic beam. We report the basic concept of the spin sensitivity in resonant charge exchange, the characteristics and the present status of the experimental apparatus and the expected space-time correlation which will be studied by the proposed method in comparison with other developing spin probes at surfaces.