Hydrogen-photoinjection-induced enhancement of photochromism in AgCl films

The photochromic effect in thin AgCl films can be significantly enhanced using AgCl-WO3 two-layer film structures. Irradiation of the WO3 film surface leads to the detachment of hydrogen atoms from hydrogen-containing molecules that were preliminarily adsorbed on the oxide surface. These atoms pass to the halide film surface and produce its sensitization in the course of irradiation, which leads to accelerated photolysis in the AgCl film.