Optical properties of YFe$_{2}$ and TbFe$_{2}$ compounds

The ellipsometric studies of the optical properties of intermetallic YFe$_{2}$ and TbFe$_{2}$ compounds have been performed in the wavelength range 0.22–15 $\mu$m, and a number of electronic and spectral characteristics have been determined. The nature of the interband light absorption in these materials is discussed based on a comparative analysis of the experimental and theoretical spectra of the optical conductivity. The experimental optical conductivities of the compounds in the region of quantum electron transitions are shown to agree qualitatively with the spectra calculated from the densities of electronic states.