Gauge theory description of glass transition

TL;DR

This paper introduces a gauge theory framework for understanding the glass transition, linking quantum field theory and critical dynamics to describe frustration and plastic deformation in glasses.

Contribution

It develops a novel gauge model of glass transition based on quantum field theory, providing analytical insights into the transition mechanism and kinetics.

Findings

Glass transition occurs when fluctuations reach frustration scale.

Derived Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann relation for glass transition kinetics.

Estimated critical exponent for non-linear susceptibility: 1.7 to 3.

Abstract

An analytical approach, which develops the gauge model of the glass transition phenomenon, is suggested. It is based on the quantum field theory and critical dynamics methods. The suggested mechanism of glass transition is based on the interaction of the local magnetization field with the massive gauge field, which describes frustration-induced plastic deformation. The example of the three-dimensional Heisenberg model with trapped disorder is considered. It is shown that the glass transition appears when the fluctuations scale reaches the frustrations scale, and the mass of the gauge field becomes equal to zero. The Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann relation for the glass transition kinetics and critical exponent for non-linear susceptibility, $1.7\lesssim \gamma < 3$, are derived in the framework of the suggested approach.