Longer Range Order In Single Component Network Glasses?

Various authors have at times suggested the existence of longer range correlations in the structure of chemically ordered single component network glasses than predicted by the simple random network theory. This paper considers three aspects of the data obtained from neutron and X-ray scattering experiments: The intensity at small scattering vector magnitudes; The real space correlation function at high inter atomic distances; and The origin of the first diffraction peak. It is concluded that all three aspects are indeed consistent with a random network structure and that it is not necessary to invoke any increased order for such glasses.