Microscopic Reversibility, Space-Filling, and Internal Stress in Strong Glasses

The axiomatic theory of ideally glassy networks, which has proved effective in describing phase diagrams and many properties of chalcogenide, oxide, and even molecular glasses, is here broadened to describe both geometrical properties, such as the first sharp diffraction peak, and kinetic properties, such as the nonreversible enthalpy of the glass transition, as measured by modulated differential scanning calorimetry. The discussion shows why the latter is such an effective tool for identifying strong glasses.