Formation of metallic-like nanodomains and vacancy defects in photochromic rare-earth oxyhydride films
Ziying Wu (TU Delft - RST/Fundamental Aspects of Materials and Energy)
E. Bruck – Promotor (TU Delft - RST/Fundamental Aspects of Materials and Energy)
S.W.H. Eijt – Promotor (TU Delft - RST/Fundamental Aspects of Materials and Energy)
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Abstract
The tunable color-neutral photochromic properties of rare-earth oxyhydride films render them promising for applications in smart windows, memory devices, and photo-catalysts. The investigation of the microstructural and electronic structure changes during the photodarkening-bleaching cycles and their relationship with the optical properties deepens our understanding of the photochromic effect and the memory effect (slower bleaching rate upon cycling) in rare-earth oxyhydride films. This thesis explores the nature and evolution of metallic-like domains and vacancy defects during photodarkening and bleaching by in-situ illumination positron annihilation spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry…