The ideal glass transition of Hard Spheres

TL;DR

This paper uses the replica method to analyze the ideal glass transition in hard spheres, estimating key densities and structural properties, and comparing results with simulations and theories.

Contribution

It provides new estimates for the Kauzmann packing fraction and random close packing density using the replica method, enhancing understanding of glass transition in hard spheres.

Findings

Kauzmann packing fraction estimated between 0.58 and 0.62.

Random close packing density estimated between 0.64 and 0.67.

Mean coordination number at RCP is approximately 6.

Abstract

We use the replica method to study the ideal glass transition of a liquid of identical Hard Spheres. We obtain estimates of the configurational entropy in the liquid phase, of the Kauzmann packing fraction, in the range 0.58--0.62, and of the random close packing density, in the range 0.64--0.67, depending on the approximation we use for the equation of state of the liquid. We also compute the pair correlation function in the glassy states (i.e., dense amorphous packings) and we find that the mean coordination number at random close packing is equal to 6. All these results compare well with numerical simulations and with other existing theories.