Photoluminescence spectroscopy to detect microregion stress distribution in glass‐to‐metal seals

Abstract The stress distribution in sealing glass is one of the most concerning issues for glass‐to‐metal (GtM) seals. In this study, photoluminescence spectroscopy was applied by exploiting the piezospectroscopic effect of Cr‐doped α ‐Al 2 O 3 (ruby), and the overall stress distribution along the radius of a concentric seal was detected and analyzed. It was discovered that the compressive stress first increased and then decreased at the edge of the seal. The maximum compressive stress of 91 MPa was detected at ∼20 µm from the interface and was ascribed to the interaction between the glass and surface oxide film of the metal. Stress distributions in pore regions were also investigated and obvious stress fluctuations were observed clustering around pores. A circle of compressive stress was observed around the pores in a single glass without a metal housing; for the pores in the center of the concentric seal, the stress distribution was dominated by the inner contraction of the metal housing; and for the pores near the edge of the seal, the concentration of tensile stress located perpendicular to that of the compressive stress. This study demonstrates a high‐resolved and nondestructive method to detect the stress field and explores the potential for future tailorability of stress distribution in GtM seals.