Z1 oscillations in the spin polarization of electrons excited by slow ions in a spin-polarized electron gas

We calculate the potential induced in a spin-polarized free electron gas by different ions by using density functional theory. By calculating the scattering of the conduction band electrons in this potential, we obtain the number of excited electrons and the polarization of the excitation when a slow ion travels through the system. The calculated spin polarization of the excited electrons shows characteristic oscillations with the atomic number of the projectile.