Eels Studies of B2-Type Transition Metal Aluminides: Experiment and Theory

The electronic structure and bonding character of intermetallic alloys are investigated by a combination of electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) experiments and ab initio electronic structure calculations. A detailed comparison is made between experimental spectra and calculations. The changes in electronic structure within a transition metal aluminide series and also due to alloying are studied using EELS spectra. The Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker coherent-potential-approximation method and large supercell models are used to investigate changes in composition and the effect of dopants on the electronic structure.