The Structure of Electronic States in FeSb₂ According to Optical Spectroscopy and Band Calculations

The electronic structure and optical properties of a binary intermetallic FeSb₂ compound are studied. The calculations of the band structure, that demonstrate the existence of a narrow ∼0.3 eV gap in the energy spectrum of this material, are performed in the approximation of a local electronic density. Spectral characteristics are studied by the ellipsometric method within a 0.22–18 μm range of wavelengths. It is shown that, in the region of interband transitions, the experimental optical conductivity of the compound is satisfactorily interpreted within the performed calculations of the density of electronic states.