Fundamental and technological aspects of glass studied by nuclear techniques

Experimental results are presented concerning the analysis of glass surfaces obtained by different treatments. Initially the water vapour attack kinectics was investigated with the **2**3Na(p, alpha )**2**0Ne nuclear reaction. Measurements were performed on three different flat glasses obtained by different industrial processes. Finally, a technological aspect of great interest is connected to the optical properties modification when glasses are covered with different types of coatings Rutherford backscattering analysis allows helpful information about elemental composition of the coatings and their depth distribution.