Electronic structure of RSn1.1Ge0.9 (R = Dy, Ho) ternary compounds: Band calculation and optical properties

The results of investigations of the electronic structure and optical properties of the compounds DySn1.1Ge0.9 and HoSn1.1Ge0.9 are presented. Our spin-polarized calculations of the electronic structure are carried out in the local spin density approximation with correction for strong electronic correlations (LSDA+U method) in the 4f shell of the rare-earth ion. In the wavelength range 0.22-15 mu m, the optical constants of the intermetallic compounds were measured by the ellipsometric method, and a number of spectral and electronic characteristics are determined. Based on the calculated densities of states, the structural features of the optical conductivity in the region of interband light absorption are interpreted.