Interface cohesion experiments

To perform experiments of fracture propagation at heterogeneous glassy interfaces under carefully controlled conditions, we have engineered two different setups, one based on the different Coefficient of Thermal Expansion and one on the Double Cleavage Drilled Compression method. In both methods we are able to tune the speed and direction of an advancing crack with nearly-atomic precision. This will allow a direct comparison of the results with our atomistic simulations, and help us to identify the optimum composition and processing parameters to produce novel materials with high cohesive properties combined with precisely adjusted refractive index.