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Mutual information reveals multiple structural relaxation mechanisms in a model glass former

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew J. Dunleavy

    (H.H. Wills Physics Laboratory
    School of Chemistry, Cantock’s Close, University of Bristol
    Bristol Centre for Complexity Sciences)

  • Karoline Wiesner

    (Bristol Centre for Complexity Sciences
    School of Mathematics, University of Bristol)

  • Ryoichi Yamamoto

    (Kyoto University)

  • C. Patrick Royall

    (H.H. Wills Physics Laboratory
    School of Chemistry, Cantock’s Close, University of Bristol
    Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information)

Abstract

Among the key challenges to our understanding of solidification in the glass transition is that it is accompanied by little apparent change in structure. Recently, geometric motifs have been identified in glassy liquids, but a causal link between these motifs and solidification remains elusive. One ‘smoking gun’ for such a link would be identical scaling of structural and dynamic lengthscales on approaching the glass transition, but this is highly controversial. Here we introduce an information theoretic approach to determine correlations in displacement for particle relaxation encoded in the initial configuration of a glass-forming liquid. We uncover two populations of particles, one inclined to relax quickly, the other slowly. Each population is correlated with local density and geometric motifs. Our analysis further reveals a dynamic lengthscale similar to that associated with structural properties, which may resolve the discrepancy between structural and dynamic lengthscales.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew J. Dunleavy & Karoline Wiesner & Ryoichi Yamamoto & C. Patrick Royall, 2015. "Mutual information reveals multiple structural relaxation mechanisms in a model glass former," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms7089
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7089
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