Short-Range and Medium-Range Order in Lithium Silicate Glasses, Part II: Simulation of the Structure by the Reverse Monte Carlo Method

The results of X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments with
(Li2O)(x)(SiO2)(100-x) glasses (x = 0, 20, 33.3, and 40) are discussed
using the Reverse Monte Carlo method to produce atomic clusters, which
are analyzed with respect to the O-O distribution, the angular
correlations within the first and higher coordination spheres, and the
bond-orientational multipole moments, Within Li2O-containing silicate
glasses, each lithium atom is surrounded by a ring of six SiO4
tetrahedra in such a way that four oxygen atoms lie at the joints of a
tetragonal cell entered by lithium. Thus, the lithium atoms increase
the order of the glass.