Solid State Gadolinium-Magnesium Hydride Optical Switch

The optical switching properties of gadolinium-magnesium hydride have been demonstrated in a solid-state electrochromic device. With positive polarization of the hydride electrode, the visible reflectance approaches 35% with virtually zero transmission, while with negative polarization, the visible transmission exceeds 25% at 650 nm. The switching is reversible, with intermediate optical properties between the transparent and reflecting states.