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Search for the Rigidity Transition and Intermediate Phase in Lithium Oxide Silicate Glass Systems Prepared by Containerless and Container Methods Using Raman and Infrared Spectroscopies
| CO-PI(s): | Chari Ramkumar |
| Kisa Ranasinghe |
Northern Kentucky University
The goal of this project is to determine the existence of the rigidity transition in glasses of xLi2O(1-x)SiO2, where 0 < x < 1 using Raman and Infrared (IR) spectroscopies. The basis for selecting this compositional system is given below. Rigidity transition in chalcogenide glasses has been observed using Raman spectroscopy. These results indicate a constrained nature of bonding which leads to a minimum of network stress and enhancement in glass formation. This discovery of the floppy to rigid transition in the glass network has given us a particularly interesting insight to understand the physical behavior of glasses. It has been observed that the containerless processing promotes glass formation (Ranasinghe, et al., 2002) in the silicate glass systems and no studies have ever been reported on the rigidity transition in the containerless processed silicate glasses. It would be an interesting challenge to use Raman and Infrared spectroscopic techniques to investigate the intermediate phase in the container and containerless processed silicate glass systems, not only from a fundamental point of view but also from a potential application such as dental material and radiology. Glass samples of the xLi2O(1-x)SiO2 system will be prepared using the containerless and container methods. Containerless glass samples will be processed in the Electrostatic Levitator at the Marshall Space and Flight Center, NASA. Containerless processed samples will be compared with the glass samples processed in a platinum crucible, here at NKU. The Raman spectra of these container and containerless processed silicate glasses excited with an Ar-ion laser will be obtained using a Renishaw inVia Raman Microscope. The IR spectra of these glasses will be obtained using a Perkin Elmer Spectrum BX FTIR with PIKE ATR attachment. Both of these instruments are available at the University of Louisville Materials Laboratories.
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