Mean-field model of interacting quasilocalized excitations in glasses

Structural glasses feature quasilocalized excitations whose frequencies \omegaω follow a universal density of states {D}(\omega)\!\sim\!\omega^4D(ω)∼ω4. Yet, the underlying physics behind this universality is not fully understood. Here we study a mean-field model of quasilocalized excitations in glasses, viewed as groups of particles embedded inside an elastic medium and described collectively as anharmonic oscillators. The oscillators, whose harmonic stiffness is taken from a rather featureless probability distribution (of upper cutoff \kappa_0κ0) in the absence of interactions, interact among themselves through random couplings (characterized by a strength JJ) and with the surrounding elastic medium (an interaction characterized by a constant force hh). We first show that the model gives rise to a gapless density of states {D}(\omega)\!=\!A_{g}\,\omega^4D(ω)=Agω4 for a broad range of model parameters, expressed in terms of the strength of the oscillators’ stabilizing anharmonicity, which plays a decisive role in the model. Then — using scaling theory and numerical simulations — we provide a complete understanding of the non-universal prefactor A_{g}(h,J,\kappa_0)Ag(h,J,κ0), of the oscillators’ interaction-induced mean square displacement and of an emerging characteristic frequency, all in terms of properly identified dimensionless quantities. In particular, we show that A_{g}(h,J,\kappa_0)Ag(h,J,κ0) is a non-monotonic function of JJ for a fixed hh, varying predominantly exponentially with -(\kappa_0 h^{2/3}\!/J^2)−(κ0h2/3/J2) in the weak interactions (small JJ) regime — reminiscent of recent observations in computer glasses — and predominantly decays as a power-law for larger JJ, in a regime where hh plays no role. We discuss the physical interpretation of the model and its possible relations to available observations in structural glasses, along with delineating some future research directions.

Dynamical theory of shear bands in structural glasses

The heterogeneous elastoplastic deformation of structural glasses is explored using the framework of the random first-order transition theory of the glass transition along with an extended mode-coupling theory that includes activated events. The theory involves coupling the continuum elastic theory of strain transport with mobility generation and transport as described in the theory of glass aging and rejuvenation. Fluctuations that arise from the generation and transport of mobility, fictive temperature, and stress are treated explicitly. We examine the nonlinear flow of a glass under deformation at finite strain rate. The interplay among the fluctuating fields leads to the spatially heterogeneous dislocation of the particles in the glass, i.e., the appearance of shear bands of the type observed in metallic glasses deforming under mechanical stress.