Viewpoint on the "Theory of the superglass phase" and a proof of principle of quantum critical jamming and related phases

TL;DR

This paper discusses the theoretical prediction of new superglass phases of matter, including superconducting, spin, and orbital superglasses, and explores quantum critical jamming and quantum liquid crystals.

Contribution

It proposes new superglass phases and a proof of concept for quantum critical jamming in electronic systems, extending prior work on superglasses.

Findings

Prediction of superglasses of Cooper pairs, spins, and orbitals.

Derivation of quantum analogue of zero-temperature jamming transition.

Introduction of quantum dynamical heterogeneities.

Abstract

A viewpoint article on the very interesting work of Biroli, Chamon, and Zamponi on superglasses. I further suggest how additional new superglass and "spin-superglass" phases of matter (the latter phases contain quenched disorder) and general characteristics may be proven as a theoretical proof of concept in various electronic systems. The new phases include: (1) superglasses of Cooper pairs, i.e., glassy superconductors, (2) superglass phases of quantum spins, and (3) superglasses of the electronic orbitals. New general features which may be derived by the same construct include (a) quantum dynamical heterogeneities- a low temperature quantum analogue of dynamical heterogeneities known to exist in classical glasses and spin-glasses wherein the local dynamics and temporal correlations are spatially non-uniform. I also discuss on a new class of quantum critical systems. In particular, I outline (b) the derivation of the quantum analogue of the zero temperature jamming transition that has a non-trivial dynamical exponent. We very briefly comment on (c) quantum liquid crystals.