Nonequilibrium dynamics of the three-dimensional Edwards-Anderson spin-glass model with Gaussian couplings: Strong heterogeneities and the backbone picture

TL;DR

This study explores the nonequilibrium dynamics of the 3D Edwards-Anderson spin-glass model with Gaussian couplings, revealing strong heterogeneities linked to the backbone structure and similar behaviors to models with bimodal bonds.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of spatial and dynamical heterogeneities in the Gaussian EA model, connecting them to the backbone picture and extending understanding from bimodal to Gaussian couplings.

Findings

Dynamics are highly correlated with spatial heterogeneities.

The backbone supports the spin-glass phase with domain growth.

Complement regions remain paramagnetic below critical temperature.

Abstract

We numerically study the three-dimensional Edwards-Anderson model with Gaussian couplings, focusing on the heterogeneities arising in its nonequilibrium dynamics. Results are analyzed in terms of the backbone picture, which links strong dynamical heterogeneities to spatial heterogeneities emerging from the correlation of local rigidity of the bond network. Different two-times quantities as the flipping time distribution and the correlation and response functions, are evaluated over the full system and over high- and low-rigidity regions. We find that the nonequilibrium dynamics of the model is highly correlated to spatial heterogeneities. Also, we observe a similar physical behavior to that previously found in the Edwards-Anderson model with a bimodal (discrete) bond distribution. Namely, the backbone behaves as the main structure that supports the spin-glass phase, within which a sort of domain-growth process develops, while the complement remains in a paramagnetic phase, even below the critical temperature.