Work

Finite-temperature critical point of a glass transition

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: We generalize the simplest kinetically constrained model of a glass-forming liquid by softening kinetic constraints, allowing them to be violated with a small rate. We demonstrate that this model supports a first-order dynamical (space-time) phase transition between active (fluid) and inactive (glass) phases. The first-order phase boundary in this softened model ends in a finite-temperature dynamical critical point, which may be present in natural systems. In this case, the glass phase has a very large but finite relaxation time. We discuss links between the dynamical critical point and quantum phase transitions, showing that dynamical phase transitions in d dimensions map to quantum transitions in the same dimension, and hence to classical thermodynamic phase transitions in d + 1 dimensions.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1006306107

Authors: Yael S. Elmatad, Robert L. Jack, David Chandler, Juan P. Garrahan

Institutions: University of California, Berkeley, University of Bath, University of Nottingham

Language: English

Topic: Material Dynamics and Properties

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2010973367

FWCI: 4.086

Cites: 41

Cited by: 91

Related to: 10