Disorder Induced Nonlinear Mode Coupling and Symmetry Breaking in Amorphous Solids

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that tiny radial strains in amorphous solids cause symmetry-breaking elastic responses due to disorder, explained through nonlinear mode coupling and classical Michell solutions.

Contribution

It reveals how disorder induces nonlinear mode coupling and symmetry breaking in amorphous solids under small strains, without plastic deformation.

Findings

Symmetry-breaking responses occur even at minute strains.

Disorder is the key factor causing nonlinear mode coupling.

Classical Michell solutions explain the observed responses.

Abstract

Applying very small purely radial strains on amorphous solids in radial geometry one observes elastic responses that break the radial symmetry. Without any plasticity involved, the responses indicate nonlinear mode coupling contributions even for minute strains. We show that these symmetry-breaking responses are due to disorder, typical to amorphous configurations. The symmetry breaking responses are quantitatively explained using the classical Michell solutions which are excited by mode coupling.