Surface analysis of a glass leached with stable isotopes

Abstract

The distribution of oxygen and other elements within the leached layer of a soda-lime glass after a short-time treatment (15–60 min) in pure H₂ ¹⁸O and D₂ ¹⁸O was investigated by means of neutral primary beam secondary ion mass spectrometry (NPB-SIMS). The¹⁸O⁻ profiles resulting from the penetration of an oxygen containing species are not disturbed by interference of the species H₂ ¹⁶O⁻, originating from the residual gas in the vacuum chamber. In agreement with previous results, no isotope effect could be detected. Hydration of the glass leads to a pronounced matrix effect which impedes oxygen analysis in the negative secondary ion mode. The ratio of the maximum¹⁸O⁻ intensity in the leached layer to the¹⁶O⁻ intensity in the bulk was recorded as a function of time for one series of experiments. The result is in accordance with the time-dependence of the Na₂O concentration in the leached layer.