Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Ellipsometric and reflectance spectroscopy in the range 1.4-5.0 eV as well as reflectance measurements in the infrared (10–80 meV) were performed on small single crystals of β FeSi2. The results show a clear anisotropy in the optical response which has been compared with theoretical calculations and data obtained on thin epitaxial films. Such a comparison gives evidence of the dependence of the optical response on the crystalline orientation of the film with respect to the surface.