Optical properties of MAX-phase materials

Abstract:   MAX-phase materials are a new type of material class. These materials are potentiallyt echnologically important as they show unique physical properties due to the combination of metals and ceramics. In this project, spectroscopic ellipsometry in the spectral range of 0.06 eV –6.0 eV was used to probe the linear optical response of MAX-phases in terms of the complexd dielectric function ε(ω) = ε1(ω) + iε2(ω). Measured data were fit to theoretical models using the Lorentz and generalized oscillator models. Data from seven different samples of MAX-phase materials were obtained using two ellipsometers. Each sample dielectric function was determined, including their infrared spectrum.