Role Of Surface Science In The Determination Of Glass Structure

Photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to derive chemical state information from which the structure of oxide glasses can be determined. The familiar terms of network former, intermediate and modifier are discussed in relation to the binding energies of electrons on the oxygen species which are bonded to the cations concerned. In addition, the way in which the surface of the glass can reorganise when exposed to energetic photons or to reactive solutions has been investigated.