Viscoelastic scaling regimes for marginally-rigid fractal spring networks

TL;DR

This study investigates the viscoelastic behavior of marginally-rigid fractal spring networks, revealing two distinct scaling regimes and their dependence on fractal size, with implications for understanding real-world gel materials.

Contribution

The paper introduces a family of fractal spring networks with controlled rigidity and characterizes their viscoelastic spectra, providing new insights into scaling regimes and cross-over behaviors.

Findings

Identified two non-trivial viscoelastic scaling regimes.

Confirmed theoretical prediction of intermediate frequency exponent.

Observed size-dependent cross-over between regimes.

Abstract

A family of marginally-rigid (isostatic) spring networks with fractal structure up to a controllable length was devised and the viscoelastic spectra $G^{*}(\omega)$ calculated. Two non-trivial scaling regimes were observed, (i)~$G^{\prime}\approx G^{\prime\prime}\propto\omega^{\Delta}$ at low frequencies, consistent with $\Delta=1/2$; (ii)~$G^{\prime}\propto G^{\prime\prime}\propto\omega^{\Delta^{\prime}}$ for intermediate frequencies corresponding to fractal structure, consistent with a theoretical prediction $\Delta^{\prime}=(\ln3-\ln2)/(\ln3+\ln2)$. The cross-over between these two regimes occurred at lower frequencies for larger fractals in a manner suggesting diffusive-like dispersion. Solid gels generated by introducing internal stresses exhibited similar behaviour above a low-frequency cut-off, indicating the relevance of these findings to real-world applications.