Refractive Index Changes of Pd-Coated Magnesium Ianthanide Switchable Mirrors Upon Hydrogen Insertion
Title | Refractive Index Changes of Pd-Coated Magnesium Ianthanide Switchable Mirrors Upon Hydrogen Insertion |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1999 |
Authors | Klaus von Rottkay, Michael D Rubin, Peter A Duine |
Journal | Journal of Applied Physics |
Volume | 85 |
Start Page | 408 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 408-413 |
Date Published | 01/1999 |
ISSN | 0021-8979 |
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). |
DOI | 10.1063/1.369399 |
LBNL Report Number | LBNL-41976 |