By means of x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and absorption spec troscopy, we have studied Au-containing glass which is heat-treated under a n a pplied electric field. The experimental results are consistent with the conclusi ons obtained from a new thermodynamic model, which is proposed based on the static electromagnetic theory and thermodynamic theory in order to describe the nucl eation process of glass doped with metals. As a key factor in the model, the ele ctric energy change is calculated by two methods in this study. One is based on some approximation treatment, and the other the finite element method. The resul ts obtained by the two methods are similar and can explain the experimental results fairly well.