The Jamming Transition and the Marginally Stable Solid

TL;DR

This paper reviews the physics of jamming, focusing on the mean-field theory and the marginally stable solid phase, connecting theoretical predictions with experimental and numerical validations across various particle systems.

Contribution

It synthesizes the mean-field theory of jamming with experimental and numerical evidence, extending the understanding to non-spherical, frictional, and active particle systems.

Findings

Validation of mean-field jamming theory near transition

Analysis of jamming in non-spherical and frictional particles

Expansion of theory to active and driven systems

Abstract

We review the physics of jamming from the theoretical, experimental and numerical perspectives. We summarize the mean-field theory of jamming and the marginally stable solid phase, with particular emphasis on the connection with the Replica Symmetry Breaking theory of glasses. We report validations of the mean-field theory of jamming from experimental and numerical studies of critical behaviors near the transition. In particular, we describe the physics of jamming of frictionless, spherical particles, as well as more recent work on jamming of frictionless, non-spherical particles and frictional, nearly spherical particles. We also present current efforts in expanding the mean-field theory to systems that more closely resemble externally driven granular media, cell aggregates, and active colloidal suspensions.