Transition metal dichalcogenide surfaces as scattering targets in spin-polarization detectors: A case study of <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:msub> <mml:mi>MoS</mml:mi> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:msub> </mml:math>

The suitability of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) for the use as scattering targets in electron spin-polarization detectors is put to a paradigmatic test: a case study of <a:math xmlns:a="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <a:msub> <a:mi>MoS</a:mi> <a:mn>2</a:mn> </a:msub> </a:math> is performed. Therefore, the electron reflectivity, the Sherman function, and the figure of merit are measured for the following samples: a single layer of <b:math xmlns:b="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <b:msub> <b:mi>MoS</b:mi> <b:mn>2</b:mn> </b:msub> </b:math> on Au(111) and cleaved <c:math xmlns:c="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <c:msub> <c:mi>MoS</c:mi> <c:mn>2</c:mn> </c:msub> </c:math> single-crystal surfaces. <d:math xmlns:d="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <d:msub> <d:mi>MoS</d:mi> <d:mn>2</d:mn> </d:msub> </d:math> offers promising features for the use in spin-polarization detection: working points with a reversed sign of the Sherman function and a long-term target stability. To overcome the low figure of merit of <e:math xmlns:e="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <e:msub> <e:mi>MoS</e:mi> <e:mn>2</e:mn> </e:msub> </e:math> , the closely-related 2D material <f:math xmlns:f="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <f:msub> <f:mi>WS</f:mi> <f:mn>2</f:mn> </f:msub> </f:math> with higher spin-orbit interaction is proposed, which may resemble the promising features with higher Sherman function. This study demonstrates the potential suitability of 2D materials such as TMDCs as scattering targets in spin-polarization detectors.