Electrochemical control of metal distributions inside glass, containing alkali ions as mobile species, was accomplished using two types of ion-conducting electrodes, a planar electrode and a microelectrode. The fundamental solid- state electrochemical cell consists of a [anode/M+ conductor ( M = Ag, Li, Na)/glass/ Na- beta"- Al2O3/cathode] sandwich system. In this cell, M+ was substituted for alkali ions in the glass under the effects of an electric field. The contact areas of the anodic and/ or cathodic surface of the glass directly affected the potential distribution inside the glass. As a result, various dopant distributions could be constructed near the glass surface. Furthermore, we have achieved the design and tailoring of three- dimensional metal distributions in the glass using a two- step doping technique. Specifically, the dopant dispersion included on the glass surface in advance could then be encapsulated within the glass by subsequent cation injection. (C) 2004 The Electrochemical Society.