Low-wavenumber Raman scattering spectroscopy in studies of new gallium-doped silica glass-based transparent vitroceramic medium

Optically transparent, silica glass-based vitroceramic material doped with gallium oxide was obtained by standard glass fusion and appropriate thermal treatments. Low-wavenumber Raman scattering spectroscopy allowed the deter mination of the microstructure and in particular the size distribution of n anoparticles embedded in the amorphous matrix The nanocrystal growth was ac curately controlled by heat treatment conditions. Transmission electron mic roscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements revealed the presence of a singl e crystalline phase, spherical-shaped nanoaggregates, homogeneously distrib uted in the transparent composite medium. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & S ons, Ltd.