Spin-polarized LEED from low-index surfaces of platinum and gold

A relativistic theory of LEED has been applied, in the energy range from 0 to 200 eV, to (111) and (001) faces of Pt and Au. The calculated intensity versus energy profiles are in good agreement with experimental data, which, in particular, provides support for interpreting the observed surfaces as unreconstructed. As a consequence of strong spin-orbit coupling, large spin-polarization peaks are found, partly in conjunction with intensity maxima. As a rough guide to diffraction conditions, at which both polarization and intensity are sizeable, a simple kinematic model might be of some use.