Optical and electron energy loss spectra of cadmium dichloride and lead dichloride crystals

Experimental electron energy loss spectra of cadmium dichloride and reflection spectra of lead dichloride are used to calculate the complete sets of fundamental optical functions of the two highly ionic materials in a wide energy range (0–30 eV). Their cumulative permittivity and volume electron energy loss curves are decomposed into transverse and longitudinal elementary components of transitions, and their main parameters are evaluated. The effect of the nature of the cation on the key features of the optical spectra is examined.