The quantum Biroli-M\'ezard model: glass transition and superfluidity in a quantum lattice glass model

TL;DR

This paper investigates a quantum lattice glass model, revealing how quantum fluctuations influence glass formation and lead to a first-order transition between superfluid and insulating glass phases at low temperatures.

Contribution

It introduces the quantum Biroli-Mézard model, analyzing the interplay of quantum fluctuations and amorphous order in glass transitions and superfluidity.

Findings

Quantum fluctuations can promote glass formation at low temperatures.

The glass transition can become a first-order phase transition.

Phase coexistence occurs between superfluid and glassy regions.

Abstract

We study the quantum version of a lattice model whose classical counterpart captures the physics of structural glasses. We discuss the role of quantum fluctuations in such systems and in particular their interplay with the amorphous order developed in the glass phase. We show that quantum fluctuations might facilitate the formation of the glass at low enough temperature. We also show that the glass transition becomes a first-order transition between a superfluid and an insulating glass at very low temperature, and is therefore accompanied by phase coexistence between superfluid and glassy regions.