Magnetic and structural studies of as grown and hydrogenated Mg2Fe based thin films

Due to chemochromism, Mg2Me (Me=Fe, Co, Ni) based alloys are low-cost and rare-earth-free candidates for switchable mirrors upon hydrogen loading. In order to understand the basic physical properties of Mg2Fe based thin films and its hydride, as-sputtered as well as hydrogen loaded films have been investigated using magnetometry, X-ray diffraction, 4-point probe sheet resistance technique and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS). The interplay of hydrogen loading, the magnetic moment, and structural properties like the sizes and chemical decoration of open volume defects in thin films detected by PAS will be presented.