Classical Theories of Glass Structure

Abstract

Tammann, the first investigator concerned with the constitution of glasses, regarded them as strongly undercooled liquids. To a certain degree this is in agreement with later interpretations using X-ray diffraction data. At that time the structures of liquid crystals and of liquids of Bernal, Stewart, or Frenkel type (which will be discussed later) were not yet known. Tammann’s model of the freezing-in of a structure quite similar to that of the liquid was quite general, but did represent a good start.