Vibrational and structural properties of glass and crystalline phases of TeO2

A wide-spread opinion regarding the paratellurite (α-TeO2) lattice as a parent structure of TeO2 glass is questioned. Consequently, the Raman and infrared spectra of TeO2 glass are contrasted with those of three crystalline lattices (α, β, γ) of TeO2 and their vibrational state density distribution functions. Additionally, the data on the crystallization of the liquid and glassy states of TeO2 are considered. As a result, of the known crystalline phases of TeO2, the γ-phase is proposed as the closest to TeO2 glass.