title: Self-organized layered hydrogenation in black Mg2NiHx switchable mirrors.
abstract: In addition to a mirrorlike (Mg2Ni) and a transparent (Mg2NiH4) state, thin films of Mg2NiHx exhibit a remarkable black state with low reflection over the entire visible spectrum, essentially zero transmission and a low electrical resistivity. Such a black state is not explicable for a homogeneous layer since a large absorption coefficient always yields substantial reflection. We show that it results from a self-organized and reversible double layering of metallic Mg2NiH0.3 and semiconducting Mg2NiH4.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Condensed Matter Physics, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. lohstroh@nat.vu.nl
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lohstroh
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Westerwaal
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Noheda
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Enache
authors.forename: I A M E
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Giebels
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dam
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Griessen