Ellipsometric studies of environment-sensitive polish layers of glass

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Abstract
The polishing behavior of vitreous silica and Pyrex is found to be strongly dependent on the ambient (different alcohols) used for polishing. This is manifested by the variations in the thickness and refractive index of the densified layer on the polished surface, which have been detected ellipsometrically. Our measurements on vitreous silica and Pyrex samples have indicated a relation between the number of carbon atoms in the alcohol molecules of the polishing media and the densification of the surface layers. The increased densification has been related to a harder surface which would result in less plastic flow and greater tendency toward fracture during polishing. We found a peak in the densification and hence in the surface hardness of the glasses in hexyl or heptyl alcohol agreeing with studies done on drilling rates and pendulum hardness in these alcohols by Westwood.