The Magnetic Susceptibility and Constitution of Coloured Glasses.

Part II. Glasses Containing Iron Oxide

JSGT 1951 V35 T025-T040

Magnetic susceptibility measurements have been made on a soda–lime–silica glass containing iron in both the oxidised and reduced states and also showing amber coloration. The results obtained are discussed in the light of possible electronic configuration of the iron atom exhibiting various types of bonding and with reference to existing theories of the structural nature of iron in glass. It is deduced that the colour of the oxidised glasses may be attributed to the presence of Fe²⁺ ions or (FeO₄)²⁺ groups (with co-ordinated oxygen); that reduced iron glasses contain Fe²⁺ ions, free or co-ordinated to the network; and that sulphur-amber glasses contain the chromophoric arrangement –O–Fe^II–S_x–.

H. Cole