The effect of an electric field on the phase separation of glasses

The electromagnetic theory is used in order to characterize the polarization processes in glasses. The change in free energy owing to phase transformation of glasses in the presence of an electric field is . The analysis shows that the free energy may be reduced or enhanced by an electric field depending on the ratio of the dielectric constants of the old and new phases. This means that the electric field can either stimulate or inhibit the nucleation process. The theory is qualitatively consistent with the experimental results. Furthermore, we may extend it to the phase transformation of all dielectric materials upon application of an electric field. These results suggest a possible method for the preparation of nanophase glass ceramics.