Spin-polarized electron energy loss spectroscopy of high energy, large wave vector spin waves in ultrathin fcc Co films on Cu(001).

The realm of high energy, large wave vector spin waves in ultrathin films and at surfaces is unexplored because a suitable method was not available up to now. We present experimental data for an 8 ML thick Co film deposited on Cu(001) which show that spin-polarized electron energy loss spectroscopy can be used to measure spin-wave dispersion curves of ultrathin ferromagnetic films up to the surface Brillouin zone boundary.