Optical properties and interband transitions in the layered compounds SbI3

The optical constants of SbI₃ single crystals, prepared from solution, were calculated from normal incidence reflectance data via a Kramers-Kronig analysis. The dependence of the absorption coefficient on the photon energy suggests the presence of a direct allowed interband transition whereE _g ^d =2·225 eV at room temperature, as well as indirect phonon-assisted transition. The absorption coefficient follows Urbach's empirical relation in the range 2·08–2·34 eV near the intrinsic edge, and a Gaussian shape was obtained near the band maximum. This behaviour is indicative of its excitonic origin and may be contributed to localized excitons in the crystal.