Structural studies were undertaken of glasses in the (1-x)TeO2- xZnO s
ystem. The glass domain (0,09 < x > 0,40) was verified and variations
observed in the Raman spectra were correlated with changes induced on
the TeO2 polyhedra upon glass formation with the addition of the metal
oxyde. Spectra were recorded as these glasses were heated through T-c
and recrystallized. The spectral profiles observed in the recrystalli
zed systems closely resemble those of the broad bands in the initial g
lasses. The sharp bands in the final spectra, characteristic of a more
ordered phase, are interpreted (by correlation with neutron diffracti
on data) on the basis of chains of TeO3-TeO4 polyhedra interlaced with
chains of ZnO6 groups.