X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of sodium phosphate glasses

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, ESCA) has been applied to sodium phosphate glasses with compositions between 15 and 50 mol% Na2O and for the purpose of comparison also to crystalline compounds containing oxygen and phosphorus. From the measurements a discrimination between bridging and non-bridging oxygen atoms was possible. The method provides a quantitative technique for structural analysis of phosphate glasses.