TY - JOUR T1 - Refractive Index Changes of Pd-Coated Magnesium Ianthanide Switchable Mirrors Upon Hydrogen Insertion JF - Journal of Applied Physics Y1 - 1999/01// SP - 408 EP - 413 A1 - Klaus von Rottkay A1 - Michael D. Rubin A1 - Peter A. Duine AB - The optical effect upon insertion of hydrogen into Pd-coated magnesium lanthanide switchable mirrors is investigated in terms of the changes of their complex refractive indices. A significant change in the optical constants of LnMg layers is seen between the as-deposited state and the dehydrided state after one cycle. Furthermore, the optical effect of switching the Pd cap layer to a PdH cap layer was determined. It is shown that the Pd layer mainly limits the visible transmittance of the hydrided stack to about 35%-40%. Whereas the extinction coefficient of dehydrided LnMg layers at 550 nm is between 2.2 and 3.1, it is as low 10-4 as in the transparent state. This is of great promise to applications requiring large optical contrast (e.g., optical switches). VL - 85 IS - 1 U1 -

Windows and Daylighting Group

U2 - LBNL-41976 DO - 10.1063/1.369399 ER -