Asymmetric scattering of polarized electrons from atoms with closed and open shells

Polarized electrons were scattered from zinc, cadmium and indium atoms which were unpolarized. Elastic scattering asymmetries were observed at energies ranging from 0.3 (for Cd) to 14 eV and at angles from 30' to 125'. For indium inelastic scattering asymmetries were also measured. Comparing the asymmetries obtained from atoms with different electron configurations the authors discuss the influence of the atomic structure on spin-dependent electron scattering. In some cases the conclusions to be drawn are straightforward. For elastic scattering from indium comparison with theoretical data is required in order to disentangle the influence of the different mechanisms on the asymmetries.