We have investigated the optical properties of beta-FeSi2 experimental
ly and theoretically, The measured optical functions were compared wit
h those calculated using the local-density-functional theory and the l
inear muffin-tin orbital method. The calculated electronic structure i
s analyzed using orbital-projected densities of states and the optical
functions an interpreted in terms of interband transitions. We find g
enerally excellent agreement between theory and experiment. [S0163-182
9(98)00116-7].