EFFECTS OF ATMOSPHERIC HUMIDITY ON THE INFRARED REFLECTIVITY OF VITREOUS P2O5 AND ULTRAPHOSPHATE GLASSES

Nearly anhydrous vitreous P2O5 and ultraphosphate glasses with up to 15 mol% MeO (Me = Ca, Zn) were prepared. All glasses were melted in evacuated and sealed SiO2 glass tubes at 1050 degrees C for 2 h and were cooled by switching off the oven. The infrared spectroscopic properties of the nearly anhydrous glasses are given and the decomposition of the glasses in atmospheric humidity was followed by time-resolved measurements of the infrared reflectance spectra. The resistance of the ultraphosphate glasses to humidity is correlated with the type of interaction between the cation and the ultraphosphate network.