Effects of Alkali Metal Doping and γ-Irradiation on the Crystallization Kinetics of the Glass Ag7I4VO4

The crystallization kinetics of the γ-irradiated and the unirradiated glass Ag7I4VO4 was studied dynamically by means of DTA, and isothermally via electrical conductivity measurements. The influence of doping with alkali metal ions (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+ or Cs+) on the crystallization process in the glass was also investigated. The results showed that the rate of crystallization depends on the nature of the added metal ion and on the crystallization growth mechanism. The latter is a two-dimensional process for both the pure and the alkali metal-doped glasses. The effects of irradiation and additive ions on the crystallization process are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.