Absolute determination of optical constants of three transition metals using reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy

The optical constants, n and k, of three transition metals (Cr, Co, and Pd) were determined from the measured reflection electron energy-loss spectroscopy (REELS) spectra, covering the spectral energy range from visible to vacuum ultraviolet. To do this, a spectral data analysis technique [Xu et al., Phys. Rev. B 95, 195417 (2017)], which combines a sophisticated Monte Carlo simulation for modelling the experimental REELS spectrum and the simulated annealing algorithm for the determination of the true energy loss function (ELF) was adopted. The validity of the obtained ELFs was discussed by comparing with the previous data derived by optical methods and by applying the oscillator strength and the perfect screening-sum rules. Besides, the consistency of the calculated data was evaluated for three in situ measurements for each sample at three primary energies. The complex dielectric function, the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k were then derived from the obtained ELF via the analytical Kramers-Kronig relation. Published by AIP Publishing.