Low-loss Excitations

That even low-loss spectra can be complex in appearance is recognizable from that of the silicate CaTiSiOs given in Fig. 2.36 B. Here the problem arises of superposition of regular plasmon or single-valence electron excitations, and excitation of tightly 

It should be noted that low-loss spectra are basically connected to optical properties of materials. This is because for small scattering angles the energy-differential cross-section dfj/dF, in other words the intensity of the EEL spectrum measured, is directly proportional to Im -l/ (E,q) [2.171]. Here e = ei + iez is the complex dielectric function, E the energy loss, and q the momentum vector. Owing to the comparison to optics (jqj = 0) the above quoted proportionality is fulfilled if the spectrum has been recorded with a reasonably small collection aperture. When Im -l/ is gathered its real part can be determined, by the Kramers-Kronig transformation, and subsequently such optical quantities as refraction index, absorption coefficient, and reflectivity. 

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