Ion-implantation-induced phase separation and crystallization in lithia-silica glasses

Crystallization of annealed Li2O.2SiO2 glasses implanted with inert ions and fused SiO2 glass implanted with Li ions was monitored using infrared reflection spectroscopy. Elastic recoil detection analysis was used to study changes in the Li and H concentration induced in these glasses by implantation and annealing. Implantation of Li2O.2SiO2 with inert ions results in Li depletion, accompanied by H indiffusion, in the implanted region. For Li-implanted SiO2, crystallization of α-quartz is accompanied by appreciable Li diffusion to the surface and attendant H migration to the Li-depleted region. The crystallization mechanisms are discussed in terms of phase separation in the lithia-silica system