The jamming scenario - an introduction and outlook

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in the jamming scenario of disordered media, focusing on model systems, new concepts, and their relevance to various physical systems, highlighting the approach to the jamming transition.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in jamming theory, including effects of particle shape, friction, and applicability to different materials.

Findings

Analysis of low-frequency modes near jamming

Discussion of cross-over frequency and length scales

Implications for diverse physical systems

Abstract

The jamming scenario of disordered media, formulated about 10 years ago, has in recent years been advanced by analyzing model systems of granular media. This has led to various new concepts that are increasingly being explored in in a variety of systems. This chapter contains an introductory review of these recent developments and provides an outlook on their applicability to different physical systems and on future directions. The first part of the paper is devoted to an overview of the findings for model systems of frictionless spheres, focussing on the excess of low-frequency modes as the jamming point is approached. Particular attention is paid to a discussion of the cross-over frequency and length scales that govern this approach. We then discuss the effects of particle asphericity and static friction, the applicability to bubble models for wet foams in which the friction is dynamic, the dynamical arrest in colloids, and the implications for molecular glasses.