Symmetry of the Au (110) surface reconstruction studied by spin-polarized low-energy electron diffraction

Abstract

Spin-polarized low-energy electron diffraction measurements of the analyzing power of two specular beams and the (0, 1/2) beam are presented. A theoretial argument relates the analyzing power S and polarizing power P of these beams for an unreconstructed Au (110) surface. This is used to deduce the symmetry of the reconstructed surface. In particualr, these results are inconsistent with the missing- and pairing-row models, suggesting rotation within the reconstructed unit cell.