Performance enhancement of metal-hydride switchable mirrors using Pd/AlOx composite cap layers

A drastic improvement of the optical properties and lifetime of switchable mirrors is obtained by placing a thin AlOx buffer layer between the Pd cap layer and the optically active, rare earth layer. The buffer layer lowers the minimum necessary Pd thickness to similar to 1 nm, resulting in a approximate to 20% increase of the maximum transmittance. The optimal Pd and Al layer thicknesses are determined for the YHx and LaHx system using a powerful combination of optical and matrix film techniques. The AlOx buffer is shown to be superior to the native oxide layers YOx and LaOx. The buffer layer is essential for lanthanum, which is a particularly vulnerable, but fundamentally very important material. Using this composite cap layer, we have been able to switch LaHx films several times. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)01132-3].