Multipole and spin-flip interband transitions in the electron energy loss of ferromagnetic Fe

Electron energy loss measurements have been carried out in the reflection mode from polycrystalline iron. The observed structures are interpreted as surface and bulk collective losses by observing their dependence on the primary electron energy and surface oxidation. Interband transitions in the range 2–30 eV are pinpointed and found to be in excellent agreement with previous optical results, except for a new strong transition around 10 eV, which is not found in optical experiments. This transition is tentatively identified with a dipole-forbidden process, which becomes allowed because of finite momentum transfer by the electrons.