An introduction to the calculation of valence EELS: quantum mechanical methods for bulk solids

The low-loss region of the electron energy-loss spectrum, the valence EELS, provides information about the electronic structure and optical properties of materials. For bulk materials the spectral intensity can be directly connected to the complex dielectric function. Ab initio quantum mechanical calculations have an important role to play in the interpretation of the fine spectral detail and how this can be connected to the material properties. This paper provides an overview of theoretical background to the calculation of valence EELS in bulk solids and gives specific details on how to run such calculations using the WIEN2k code. The comparison of Au and AuAl(2) illustrates how in metals such calculations are successful in reproducing the main spectral details and can be used to understand the origin of the different colours of these two metals.