Electron emission in the Auger neutralization of a spin-polarized He+ ion embedded in a free electron gas

Results are presented for the energy distribution and spin polarization of the electrons excited during the Auger neutralization of a spin polarized He+ ion embedded in a paramagnetic free electron gas. The screening of the He+ ion is calculated using density functional theory within the local spin density approximation. The Auger rates, the energy distribution and the spin polarization of the excited electrons are obtained using the Fermi golden rule. The transport of the electrons is calculated within the Boltzmann transport equation formalism. The spin-polarization of the initially excited electrons is very high (>70%) and parallel to that of the electron bound to the He+ ion. Nevertheless, the emitted electrons show a much lower degree of polarization, mainly in the low energy range, due to the creation of the unpolarized cascade of secondaries in the transport process.