The Random First Order Transition (RFOT) theory started with the pioneering work of Kirkpatrick, Thirumalai and Wolynes. It leverages methods and advances of the theory of disordered systems. It fares remarkably well at reproducing the salient experimental facts of super-cooled liquids. Yet, direct and indisputable experimental validations are missing. In this short survey, we will review recent investigations that broadly support all static aspects of RFOT, but also those for which the standard dynamical extension of the theory appears to be struggling, in particular in relation with facilitation effects. We discuss possible solutions and open issues.
La théorie RFOT des verres a été initiée par les travaux de Kirkpatrick, Thirumalai & Wolynes. Elle s’appuie sur des méthodes récentes de la théorie des systèmes désordonnés. La théorie RFOT décrit remarquablement bien toute la phénoménologie des liquides surfondus. Cependant, aucun résultat expérimental n’a encore confirmé la théorie de manière directe et indiscutable. Dans ce bref article de revue, nous discutons les travaux récents qui sont en accord avec tous les aspects thermodynamiques de la théorie, mais aussi ceux pour lesquels l’extension dynamique de celle-ci semble en difficulté, en particulier concernant les effets de facilitation. Nous proposons des voies de résolution possibles, ainsi que certains problèmes ouverts.
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Mots-clés : Théorie des verres, Dynamique coopérative, Transition du premier ordre aléatoire, Susceptibilité non-lineaire, Processus activés, Liquides confondus, transition vitreuse
Giulio Biroli 1; Jean-Philippe Bouchaud 2
CC-BY 4.0
@article{CRPHYS_2023__24_S1_9_0,
author = {Giulio Biroli and Jean-Philippe Bouchaud},
title = {The {RFOT} {Theory} of {Glasses:} {Recent} {Progress} and {Open} {Issues}},
journal = {Comptes Rendus. Physique},
pages = {9--23},
publisher = {Acad\'emie des sciences, Paris},
volume = {24},
number = {S1},
year = {2023},
doi = {10.5802/crphys.136},
language = {en},
}
Giulio Biroli; Jean-Philippe Bouchaud. The RFOT Theory of Glasses: Recent Progress and Open Issues. Comptes Rendus. Physique, From everyday glass to disordered solids, Volume 24 (2023) no. S1, pp. 9-23. doi : 10.5802/crphys.136. https://comptes-rendus.academie-sciences.fr/physique/articles/10.5802/crphys.136/
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