Refractive Index Changes of Pd-Coated Magnesium Ianthanide Switchable Mirrors Upon Hydrogen Insertion

TitleRefractive Index Changes of Pd-Coated Magnesium Ianthanide Switchable Mirrors Upon Hydrogen Insertion
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1999
AuthorsKlaus von Rottkay, Michael D Rubin, Peter A Duine
JournalJournal of Applied Physics
Volume85
408
Issue1
Pagination408-413
Date Published01/1999
ISSN0021-8979
Abstract

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).

DOI10.1063/1.369399
LBNL Report Number

LBNL-41976