Acoustic Loss of Vitreous Silica at Elevated Temperatures

• Published in: Journal of applied physics 1970-01, Vol.41 (1), p.6-11
• Main Author: Fraser, David B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0021-8979; 1089-7550
• DOI: 10.1063/1.1658378

The resonant sphere technique has been used to measure the temperature variation of the acoustic shear loss of vitreous silica up to 1100°C. The acoustic loss near room temperature, which is on the high temperature end of the 50°K loss peak, was found to be dependent upon fictive temperature, the state of oxidation, and, through the state of oxidation, may be dependent upon the OH or Cl content. A minimum loss occurs above room temperature and for synthesized silicas the loss level is comparable to single-crystal materials. Above the minimum loss, the loss process appears to be thermally activated with an approximate activation energy of 0.5 eV. This low activation energy suggests the diffusion of a network modifier such as hydrogen as a possible cause of the high temperature loss.