Light scattering in glass-ceramics: revision of the concept

Transparency of glass-ceramics is limited by light scattering connected with their structure [nano(micro)-size crystals distributed within the residual glass]. We digitized and analyzed graphical data on the transparency of glass-ceramics presented in the literature and demonstrated that, for most glass-ceramics, the wavelength dependence of the scattering coefficient is described by the power law with the constant exponent (-p). The values of p are often markedly greater than the Rayleigh value of 4 and may be as much as approximate to 9. This conclusion is extremely important for the development of new materials and contradicts the generally accepted opinion that p <= 4 for glass-ceramics. Similar behavior of light scattering was observed earlier in phase-separated glasses and is known as anomalous light scattering. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America.