Heterogeneities and local fluctuations in glassy systems

TL;DR

This paper reviews a recent theoretical approach to describe dynamic fluctuations in glassy systems, emphasizing mesoscopic scale analysis, experimental validation, and the role of noise measurements.

Contribution

It introduces a mean-field-like analytic framework for understanding local fluctuations and dynamic heterogeneities in glassy and granular systems.

Findings

Successful reproduction of global relaxation features

Insights into mesoscopic dynamics and noise roles

Proposals for experimental and numerical testing

Abstract

The aim of this report is to review a theoretical approach that has been proposed recently to describe dynamic fluctuations in glassy systems (work in collaboration with H. Castillo, C. Chamon, P. Charbonneau, J. L. Iguain, M. Kennett, D. Reichman and M. Sellitto). Firstly, I summarize some of the main features of the averaged and global non-equilibrium relaxation of glassy systems, weakly sheared viscous liquids and weakly tapped granular matter, and how these results have been successfully reproduced with a mean-field-like analytic approach. Secondly, I explain the outcome of more refined experimental and numerical measurements that point at examining the dynamics at a mesoscopic scale, and the role of noise measurements in this respect. Finally, I discuss how our theoretical approach can be confronted to new experimental and numerical tests.