Publication : t09/239
The Random First-Order Transition Theory of Glasses: a critical assessment
Biroli G. (CEA, IPhT (Institut de Physique Théorique), F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France)Bouchaud J.-P. (Science & Finance, Capital Fund Management 6 Bld Haussmann, F-75009 Paris, France)
Abstract:Année de publication : 2012
The aim of this paper is to summarise the basic arguments and the intuition bolstering the RFOT picture for glasses, based on a finite dimensional extension of mean-field models with an exponentially large number of metastable states. We review the pros and cons that support or undermine the theory, and the directions, both theoretical and experimental, where progress is needed to ascertain the status of RFOT. We elaborate in particular on the notions of mosaic state and point-to-set correlations, and insist on the importance of fluctuations in finite dimensions, that significantly blur the expected cross-over between a Mode-Coupling like regime and the mosaic, activated regime. We discuss in detail the fundamental predictions of RFOT, in particular the possibility to force a small enough system into an ideal glass state, and present several new ones, concerning aging properties or non-linear rheology. Finally, we compare RFOT to other recent theories, including elastic models, Frustration Limited Domains or Kinetically Constrained models.
Chapitre de livre : Structural Glasses and Supercooled Liquids: Theory, Experiment, and Applications
Editeur : V. Lubchenko, P. Wolynes
Pages : 31-113
DOI : 10.1002/9781118202470.ch2
Preprint : arXiv:0912.2542v1
Langue : Anglais
Fichier(s) à télécharger :
publi.pdf
