Quantum interference of Rashba-type spin-split surface state electrons

We studied the quantum interference of electrons in the Bi (p(x), p(y)) orbital-derived j = 1/2 spin-split surface states at Bi/Ag(111)√3 × √3 surfaces of 10 monolayer thick Ag(111) films on Si(111) substrates. Surface electron standing waves were observed clearly at the energy (E) below the intersection of the two spin-split downward dispersing parabola bands (E(x)). The E dependence of the standing wave pattern reveals the dispersion as the average of the two spin-split surface bands due to the interference between |(k + Δ), ↑> and |-(k - Δ), ↑> or (|(k - Δ), ↓>) and |-(k + Δ), ↓>] states. In contrast, it was impossible to deduce the dispersion from the standing wave pattern at E ≥ E(x) because the surface electron cannot find its backscattered state with the same spin polarization.