# A simple theory for the dynamics of mean-field-like models of glass-forming fluids

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple, physically motivated mean-field-like theory for the dynamics of glass-forming fluids, predicting an ergodicity-breaking transition aligned with the replica approach, and reproducing recent high-dimensional results.

## Contribution

It offers a new, transparent theoretical framework for glass dynamics that can be tested via simulations and connects with existing replica and high-dimensional results.

## Key findings

- Predicts an ergodicity-breaking transition in glass-forming fluids.
- Aligns with the dynamic transition from the replica approach.
- Reproduces results from high-dimensional exact calculations.

## Abstract

We propose a simple theory for the dynamics of model glass-forming fluids, which should be solvable using a mean-field-like approach. The theory is based on transparent physical assumptions, which can be tested in computer simulations. The theory predicts an ergodicity-breaking transition that is identical to the so-called dynamic transition predicted within the replica approach. Thus, it can provide the missing dynamic component of the random first order transition framework. In the large-dimensional limit the theory reproduces the result of a recent exact calculation of Maimbourg et al. [PRL 116, 015902 (2016)]. Our approach provides an alternative, physically motivated derivation of this result.