Boson peak, structural inhomogeneity, light scattering and transparency of silicate glasses

The microscopic origin of the excess of Density of Vibrational States (Boson peak) is discussed, taking into account recent analyses of the properties of glasses that were frozen-in under high pressure. Experimental data reveals a decrease of the Boson peak with increasing pressure of freezing (fictive pressure) and, simultaneously, an increase of the structural homogeneity of the glass. These results suggest new ways to improve the transmission of telecommunication fibers by decreasing the optical loss due to the scattering by the structural inhomogeneities of glasses.