Thin switchable metal hydrides

The growth and microstmcture of switchable mirror thin fllrns involves specific aspects that need to be discussed before describing their physical properties. We focus first on Y, La and rare-earth films (for convenience all abbreviated as RE films), deposited in both their metallic and hydride forms. Some references to second-generation mirrors (Mg-RE) are included and third-generation switchable mirrors (Mg-TM) are shortly discussed separately. 

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