Gamma-irradiation-induced physical ageing in As–Se glasses

Effect of external influences on the physical ageing processes in As–Se chalcogenide glasses is studied at the example of Co60 γ-irradiation. The increase in glass transition temperature and endothermic peak area near glass transition region for Se-enriched glasses is shown by differential scanning calorimetry method as a result of radiation treatment. The observed changes are associated with additional γ-activated structural relaxation of glass network towards thermodynamic equilibrium of supercooled liquid. This relaxation is connected with boundary displacements of inner Se atoms within –Se–Se–Se– cells followed by shrinkage processes.