Rashba-type spin splitting and spin interference of the Cu(111) surface state at room temperature

We report on the measurement of the Rashba-type spin splitting of the Shockley surface state on Cu(1 1 1) by spin- and angle-resolved photoemission at room temperature. Along the spatial direction expected for a Rashba-type effect the measured spin splitting corresponds to what has previously been reported by first principle calculations which were verified by high resolution ARPES using low temperatures and perfect crystals. Furthermore it is found that structural defects cause a spin-interference in the photoemission process and as a result the main measured spin signal is in the plane orthogonal to the typical Rashba orientation. Although the determination of the exact origin of this signal requires further investigations, the main results can be used as a benchmark for future spin-resolved photoemission set-ups.