Yttrium hydride films as switchable mirrors: optical characterization and electronic structure

M. M. Sanchez-Lopez; P. Velasquez; R. Castaner; A. Gutierrez; J. Costa-Quintana; F. Lopez-Aguilar

doi:10.1117/12.531209

19 November 2003 Yttrium hydride films as switchable mirrors: optical characterization and electronic structure

M. M. Sanchez-Lopez, P. Velasquez, R. Castaner, A. Gutierrez, J. Costa-Quintana, F. Lopez-Aguilar

Proceedings Volume 4829, 19th Congress of the International Commission for Optics: Optics for the Quality of Life; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.531209
Event: 19th Congress of the International Commission for Optics: Optics for the Quality of Life, 2002, Florence, Italy

Abstract

The development of switchable mirrors based on yttrium hydride thin films is shown. Yttrium is deposited on regular glass under ultra-high vacuum conditions. Upon hydrogen pressure the transition from light-reflecting metal YH₂ to transparent insulating YH₃ is induced. Surface and optical characterization is performed to improve the deposition and hydrogenation conditions. A good variable transparency is achieved, with transmittance up to 70% in the visible range for the completely hydrogenated sample. The electronic structure of the YH₃ phase is calculated by considering strong correlation corrections to the crystal potential. We obtain a gap in the quasiparticle spectrum that agrees with the optical transmittance of the YH₃ phase. A prototype device based on these films is proposed.

Citation Download Citation

M. M. Sanchez-Lopez, P. Velasquez, R. Castaner, A. Gutierrez, J. Costa-Quintana, and F. Lopez-Aguilar "Yttrium hydride films as switchable mirrors: optical characterization and electronic structure", Proc. SPIE 4829, 19th Congress of the International Commission for Optics: Optics for the Quality of Life, (19 November 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.531209

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available