Fuxi Gan

Chemical Analyses of Potash–Lime Silicate Glass Artifacts from the Warring States Period in China

Potash–lime silicate (K2O–CaO–SiO2) glass dated to the Warring States Periods is one of the earliest glass types that have been found in China, but scientific research about this type of glass is scarce at home and abroad. In the present study, a total of 23 potash–lime silicate glass samples of the Warring States Period, excavated from different areas of China, were analyzed noninvasively using a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF). The chemical composition of these K2O–CaO–SiO2 glasses was analyzed and compared with that of the potash silicate (K2O-SiO2) glasses of the Han Dynasties. The possible raw materials used to make the ancient K2O–CaO–SiO2 glasses were discussed. It appears that the ancient K2O–CaO–SiO2 glasses were produced in China and the potash glasses were of versatile origins. This research provides useful clues to trace the technical development of ancient Chinese glass.

Observation of short-wavelength recorded marks in TeOx thin film by atomic force microscopy

Abstract Single-layer TeO x thin films were deposited on K9 glass substrates by vacuum evaporation. The TeO x thin film was successfully recorded with a short-wavelength laser beam (514.5xa0nm). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is first used to study the microstructure of recorded marks. Microarea morphology images show that the marks are deformed, and depressions and bulges have been imaged in the recorded marks. The level of the deformation is enhanced with the increase of writing power. AFM allows a precise determination of the mark size, the depression depth and the bulge height. The present setup allows the identification of individual marks through a specific location method and the correlation of the reflectivity contrast, C , caused by a specific writing power to the morphology of the marks. AFM is a useful tool to the study of the mechanism of writing process and the improvement of recording performances of TeO x optical storage media.

Observation of recorded tracks in GeSbTe phase-change media by AFM

Abstract Atomic-force microscopy is first used to observe recorded tracks of phase-change media. Microarea morphology images show a swelling of such tracks. Big crystal grains, peaks and valleys have been imaged in the recorded tracks. These defects may contribute to the large media noise in the phase-change recording technique. We find that AFM is a very useful tool to evaluate the microarea recorded marks.

Investigation of Ancient Chinese Potash Glass by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT In the present study, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (LA-ICP-AES) was successfully used to classify 26 ancient potash glass beads. These samples, mainly dated from the Han Dynasty to the Jin Dynasty, were from several provinces of both China and Vietnam. Quantitative analyses were done with both weathered and polished samples in order to consider the effects of surface weathering. Based on the characteristics of major, minor, and trace elements, we divided the samples into three subgroups (the percentage for each subgroup was 50%, 42%, and 8%, respectively) and also determined their main colorants. The results obtained provide new clues to trace the possible producing centers of ancient potash glasses in Asia. This study also reveals a complex network related to the trade of ancient potash glasses.