This is a proposal to study the relationship between the intermediate range order and physical properties of new chalcogenide glasses. Neutron scattering, nuclear quadrapole resonance spectroscopy, molecular dynamics simulation, and Raman spectroscopy will be used to map the intermediate as well as the short range order to the physical properties of these novel materials. The research will also include the study of the frequency dependence of ionic conductivities and NMR spin-lattice relaxation times in thioborate glasses. This portion of the study is aimed to resolve the discrepancy between the activation energies for conductivity and relaxation. It is envisioned that the information gained through this research will enable the engineering of properties of new high technology glasses and amorphous materials.
