ANALYSIS OF FIBEROPTIC LEAD-SILICATE GLASSES BY NUCLEAR-PHYSICS METHODS

An elemental analysis of the near-surface layers of original and reduc ed lead-silicate glasses is performed by means of nondestructive testi ng methods using accelerated charged particles. The concentration prof iles of hydrogen (to a depth of 0.4 mum) and lead (to a depth of 3.5 m um) are measured in 15 pairs of samples of different melts. Based on t he resulting data, conclusions are reached with regard to the concentr ation profile of lead, reduced in the thermohydrogen treatment process to a depth of 0.4 mum. These results show how the quantities that cha racterize the surface composition of the samples and the volume of the glass depend on the original amount of hydrogen within the glass upon completion of the melt.