THE REFLECTIVITY SPECTRA OF AL3NI AND ALNI3

The reflectivity spectra of Al3Ni and AlNi3 as deduced by near-normal reflectivity measurements in the photon energy range 1-4 eV, are compa red with theoretical calculations using the linearized muffin tin orbi tals (LMTO) method. Good agreement is obtained between theory and expe riment. Electron energy loss spectroscopy (REELS) measurements have al so been carried out on both compounds in the range 0-35 eV, utilizing 2 keV electrons, in order to explore the high energy regions of the op tical functions and verify its reliability in determining optical cons tants. In spite of the REELS poor resolution with respect to spectroph otometric techniques, a fair agreement is found between the results ob tained by the two spectroscopies. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.