Structure of rarefied PbGeO3 glass: a molecular dynamics study

The present contribution is dedicated to a molecular dynamics (MD) study of the structure of rarefied lead-germanate glasses of composition PbGeO3. Th e simulations have been performed in the constant volume regime for systems with densities of 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6285 kg/m(3), using a two-body pote ntial (Born-Mayer repulsive forces, and Coulomb forces due to full ionic ch arges). The information on short-range correlations was obtained in a conve ntional way (from radial and angular distribution functions), while the mid dle-range order was studied via cation-anion ring analysis. In the paper th e short and medium range order in the rarefied glasses is discussed and com pared with the structure of the PbGeO3 glass in normal conditions.