The energy dependence of the relaxation of photoexcited electrons in copper was measured using femtosecond time-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to within 0.3 eV above the Fermi level. By performing lifetime measurements under different surface conditions, several surface dynamical processes were investigated. In particular, an anomalous long lifetime feature, which cannot be explained with Fermi-liquid theory, was observed in the lifetime-energy curve. This feature was found originating from the photoexcitation of the strongly localized Cu $3d$ electrons.

• Received 6 February 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.56.1099