Mode-Coupling Theory of the Glass Transition: A Primer

Frontiers in Physics

Janssen, Liesbeth M. C.¹ 

[1] Theory of Polymers and Soft Matter, Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands

关键词: Mode-coupling theory;    glass transition;    molecular hydrodynamics;    Liquid structure;    Amorphous solids;    supercooled liquids;    Colloids;    active matter;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fphy.2018.00097

学科分类：物理（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Understanding the physics of glass formation remains one of the major unsolved challenges of condensed matter science. As a material solidifies into a glass, it exhibits a spectacular slowdown of the dynamics upon cooling or compression, but at the same time undergoes only minute structural changes. Among the numerous theories put forward to rationalize this complex behavior, Mode-Coupling Theory (MCT) stands out as a unique framework that provides a fully first-principles-based description of glass phenomenology. This review outlines the key physical ingredients of MCT, its predictions, successes, and failures, as well as recent improvements of the theory. We also discuss the extension and application of MCT to the emerging field of non-equilibrium active soft matter.

【 授权许可】

CC BY