Visualizing bulk band structure in Fe 4 N thin films by spin- and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy

The bulk band structure of an prepared ferromagnetic Fe 4 N thin film has been investigated using spin- and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation. It was observed that most of the bands near the Fermi level are of minority spin. The experimental results are well reproduced by first-principles calculations. Our orbital analysis of the band structure has revealed that the electron pocket near the Γ point is primarily attributed to the Fe 3 d x y orbital of the Fe(II) site, while the electron pocket near the M point is associated with the Fe(II) 3 d z 2 orbital. Our observation of real band structure in Fe 4 N thin films could provide valuable insight into the properties of anisotropic magnetoresistance and anomalous Nernst effect.