Response to "Comment on Static correlations functions and domain walls in glass-forming liquids: The case of a sandwich geometry" [J. Chem. Phys. 144, 227101 (2016)]

TL;DR

This paper responds to critiques regarding the interpretation of point-to-set correlation functions in glass-forming liquids, clarifying which features are specific to glassy systems versus general confinement effects.

Contribution

It clarifies the distinctions between glass-specific behaviors and general confinement effects in the analysis of point-to-set correlations.

Findings

Distinguishes glass-specific features from general confinement effects

Addresses concerns raised in the previous comment

Clarifies the interpretation of correlation functions in disordered systems

Abstract

The point-to-set correlation function has proved to be a very valuable tool to probe structural correlations in disordered systems, but more than that, its detailed behavior has been used to try to draw information on the mechanisms leading to glassy behavior in supercooled liquids. For this reason it is of primary importance to discern which of those details are peculiar to glassy systems, and which are general features of confinement. Within the present response we provide an answer to the concerns raised in [J. Chem. Phys. 144, 227101 (2016)].