Laser induced structural modification in Fe-Na-B glass samples investigated by advanced XPS technique

The effect of laser irradiation from Nd: YAG laser on the glass structure in sodium borate glass containing Fe2O3 has been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Core level spectra Fe 2p, Na 1s, B 1s and O 1s have been recorded and analysed. The general behaviour of the spectra indicate a decrease in intensity of the Fe 2p core level peaks implying a gradual loss of Fe ions from the surface of the sample with a change in laser wavelength. The O 1s peak showed a slight narrowing with increase in laser wavelength. The O 1s spectra were all curved fitted with two contributions from bridging oxygen (BO) and non-bridging oxygen (NBO). A model was introduced to explain the correlation between the disappearance of Fe ion from the glass surface and the narrowing of the O 1s spectra with increase in laser wavelength.