Topological versus chemical ordering in network glasses at intermediate and extended length scales

Philip S. Salmon, Richard D. Martin, Philip E. Mason, Gabriel J. Cuello

Research output: Contribution to journalLetter, comment/opinion or interviewpeer-review

Abstract

Atomic ordering in network glasses on length scales longer than nearest-neighbour length scales has long been a source of controversy(1-6). Detailed experimental information is therefore necessary to understand both the network properties and the fundamentals of glass formation. Here we address the problem by investigating topological and chemical ordering in structurally disordered AX2 systems by applying the method of isotopic substitution in neutron diffraction to glassy ZnCl2. This system may be regarded as a prototypical ionic network forming glass, provided that ion polarization effects are taken into account(7), and has thus been the focus of much attention(8-14). By experiment, we show that both the topological and chemical ordering are described by two length scales at distances greater than nearest-neighbour length scales. One of these is associated with the intermediate range, as manifested by the appearance in the measured diffraction patterns of a first sharp diffraction peak at 1.09( 3) angstrom(-1); the other is associated with an extended range, which shows ordering in the glass out to 62( 4) angstrom. We also find that these general features are characteristic of glassy GeSe2, a prototypical covalently bonded network material(15,16). The results therefore offer structural insight into those length scales that determine many important aspects of supercooled liquid and glass phenomenology(11).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)75-78
Number of pages4
JournalNature
Volume435
Issue number7038
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 May 2005

Keywords

  • atomic ordering
  • isotopic substitution
  • diffraction patterns

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Topological versus chemical ordering in network glasses at intermediate and extended length scales'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this