Complex loss function of CdTe

We report results of high-resolution electron energy-loss measurements in t ransmission of CdTe films. In contrast to simple metals and other semicondu ctors. studied experimentally so far, our results show a number of loss str uctures Of comparable strength occupying a rather narrow energy region arou nd the classical plasmon energy, With increasing momentum transfer these st ructures show no or only weak dispersion and the relative spectral weight s hifts from the energetically lowest to the highest feature,The measurements are analyzed using ab initio calculations of the CdTe loss function. [S016 3-1829(99)07407-X].