Thermomechanical analysis as a useful tool to study photoinduced changes of the viscous flow of glassy materials

Abstract

A modified thermomechanical analyzer is described as an useful tool to study the photoinduced changes in the viscous flow and thermal properties of glassy materials. The device proposed was tested on model chalcogenide glass As2S3 using the penetration method. Further, the article discusses and summarizes the effect of the light illumination (at wavelength of 650 nm) on the viscous flow at different temperatures below the glass transition temperature (Tg), and on the thermal behaviour interpreted from dilatometric curves via glass transition temperature and softening temperature.