Pseudopotential theory of the dielectric function of Al-the volume plasmon dispersion

Abstract

Using a pseudopotential with all plane waves up to the second shell in the reciprocal lattice the dielectric function epsilon (q, omega ) of Al has been calculated. For a definite value of the wave vector q the plasma frequency is determined either by the real part of the dielectric function or from the strong peak of the electron-loss function. It is shown that the anisotropy of the plasmon dispersion is fully understood from the electron structure in the one-particle scheme. In addition, the q dependence of the width of the plasmon peak is investigated.