Optical properties of intermetallic compounds Ce2Fe17 and Ce2Fe15.3M1.7 (M= Al, Si)

Optical properties of intermetallic compounds Ce2Fe17 and Ce2Fe15.3M1.7 (M = Al, Si) were investigated in an energy range of 0.083-10.46 eV. Data on i nterband absorption are discussed on the basis of the model of electronic s pectra of similar iron-bearing rare-earth compounds. A correlation between the Curie temperature T-C and the parameters of their electronic structure was found. For substitutional alloys, the increase in T-C was shown to be a ccompanied by a decrease in the plasma frequency of conduction electrons, w hich indicates a decrease in the density of 3d electron states at the Fermi level.