Models of plastic depinning of driven disordered systems

TL;DR

This paper discusses two classes of models for driven disordered systems with history-dependent dynamics, highlighting their mean field behavior and the transition from continuous to discontinuous depinning.

Contribution

It introduces and compares models incorporating local inertia and topological defect proliferation, revealing tricritical points and different depinning behaviors.

Findings

Mean field models show a tricritical point as disorder varies.

Weak disorder leads to continuous depinning with a unique sliding state.

Strong disorder results in discontinuous, hysteretic depinning.

Abstract

Two classes of models of driven disordered systems that exhibit history-dependent dynamics are discussed. The first class incorporates local inertia in the dynamics via nonmonotonic stress transfer between adjacent degrees of freedom. The second class allows for proliferation of topological defects due to the interplay of strong disorder and drive. In mean field theory both models exhibit a tricritical point as a function of disorder strength. At weak disorder depinning is continuous and the sliding state is unique. At strong disorder depinning is discontinuous and hysteretic.