Analysis of the Composition and Structure of Glass and Glass Ceramics

This book, entitled Analysis of the Composition and Structure of Glass and Glass Ceramies, is one of aseries reporting on research and development activities on products and processes conducted by the Schott Group. The scientifically founded development of new products and technical pro­ cesses has traditionally been of vital importance to Schott and has always been performed on a scale determined by the prospects for application of our special glasses. Since the reconstruction of the Schott Glaswerke in Mainz, the scale has increased enormously. The range of expert knowledge required could never have been supplied by Schott alone. It is also a tradition in our company to cultivate collaboration with customers, universities, and research institutes. Publications in numerous technical journals, which since 1969 we have edited to a regular schedule as Forschungsberichte - 'research reports' - describe the results of these cooperations. They contain up-to-date infor­ mation on various topics for the expert but are not suited as survey material for those whose standpoint is more remote. This is the point where we would like to place our series, to stimulate the exchange of thoughts, so that we can consider from different points of view the possibilities offered by those incredibly versatile materials, glass and glass ceramies. We would like to share the knowledge won through our research and development at Schott in cooperation with the users of our materials with scientists and engineers, interested customers and friends, and with the employees of our firm.

This book is one of a series reporting on international research and development activities conducted by the Schott Group companies. With the series Schott aims to provide an overview of its activities for scientists, engineers, and managers from all branches of industry worldwide where glass and glass ceramics are of interest. Each volume begins with a chapter providing a general idea of the current problems, results, and trends relating to the subject treated.
This volume lays the foundations for
- supervision of production processes, including raw materials, evaporation from the melt, exhaust gases, and environmental concerns;
- troubleshooting in case of glass defects in combination with research for the design of faultless (in the ppm range) or at least high-yield processes;
- understanding the origin of customer complaints because of unfulfilled expectations concerning material properties or product behaviour.
The book is conceived as a monograph. The individual chapters, however, are written by leading Schott experts on the corresponding subjects. Many figures, tables, and examples are chosen to introduce the reader to thin-film science and technology.