Metastable States, Relaxation Times and Free-energy Barriers in Finite Dimensional Glassy Systems

TL;DR

This paper investigates metastability and relaxation dynamics in finite-dimensional glassy systems, linking free-energy barriers to relaxation times and connecting to Adam-Gibbs theory.

Contribution

It introduces a framework for understanding relaxation in glassy systems via metastable states and free-energy barriers, providing a computable approach.

Findings

Relaxation dominated by metastable states.

Free-energy barriers relate to relaxation times.

Adam-Gibbs like relaxation times naturally emerge.

Abstract

In this note we discuss metastability in a long-but-finite range disordered model for the glass transition. We show that relaxation is dominated by configuration belonging to metastable states and associate an in principle computable free-energy barrier to the equilibrium relaxation time. Adam-Gibbs like relaxation times appear naturally in this approach.