Synthesis and in-situ characterization of photochromic yttrium oxyhydride grown by reactive e−-beam evaporation

K Kantre,M.V Moro,D Moldarev,M Wolff,D Primetzhofer

doi:10.1016/j.scriptamat.2020.05.009

K Kantre, M.V Moro + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2020.05.009

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Abstract

We report on controlled growth of photochromic yttrium oxyhydride thin films monitored by in-situ composition depth profiling. Films were grown by reactive e−-beam evaporation and subsequently oxidized, while simultaneously tracking the oxygen and hydrogen concentrations. Sample composition and photochromic response were characterized in-situ using non-destructive ion beam analysis and image analysis, respectively – as well as complementary ex-situ ion beam methods, X-ray diffraction and optical spectrophotometry. We show that photochromic yttrium oxyhydride can be grown as yttrium dihydride, which is then oxidized to O/H ratios triggering the photochromic response.

Highlights

We report on controlled growth of photochromic yttrium oxyhydride thin films monitored by in-situ composition depth profiling
We show that photochromic yttrium oxyhydride can be grown as yttrium dihydride, which is oxidized to O/H ratios triggering the photochromic response
Yttrium oxyhydride (YHxOy) thin films have recently attracted the attention of the scientific community as they can exhibit reversible photochromism at ambient conditions [3]