Structure and electric conductivity of reduced lead–germanate, bismuth–germanate and bismuth–silicate glasses modified with potassium

Abstract Lead–germanate, bismuth–germanate and bismuth–silicate glasses, as potential materials for detectors production, have been modified with potassium with the purpose of improvement of mechanical properties. Studies on the influence of potassium modification on the structure and electric properties have been conducted with AFM, DSC and conductivity measurements. It has been observed that potassium modification improves the mechanical and technological properties of glasses and simultaneously changes slightly their electric properties. The studies have confirmed that bismuth–silicate and bismuth–germanate glasses are good materials for microchannel plates or channeltrons.