Inelastic Neutron Scattering Techniques For Studying Superstructural Units In Borate Glasses

There is now increasing evidence that the structures of many borate glasses are dominated by superstructural units. Spectroscopic data are invaluable for testing models of glass structure and the inelastic neutron scattering technique is now able to supplement information gained from optical measurements, due to improvements in instrumentation and source strength which have led to an energy transfer resolution comparable to that available optically. The use of inelastic neutron scattering techniques for investigating the role of superstructural units in borate glass structures is discussed, using vitreous B2O3 and a binary glass in the Rb2O-B2O3 system as examples.