Are there localized saddles behind the heterogeneous dynamics of supercooled liquids?

TL;DR

This study explores the connection between localized saddle points on the potential energy surface and the heterogeneous dynamics in supercooled liquids, revealing a localization transition near the Mode-Coupling temperature.

Contribution

It uncovers the localization transition of unstable modes and their correlation with dynamical heterogeneities in a model glassy system.

Findings

Localization transition of unstable modes near Mode-Coupling temperature

Positive spatial correlation between large displacements and heterogeneities

Unstable modes linked to regions of dynamic heterogeneity

Abstract

We numerically study the interplay between heterogeneous dynamics and properties of negatively curved regions of the potential energy surface in a model glassy system. We find that the unstable modes of saddles and quasi-saddles undergo a localization transition close to the Mode-Coupling critical temperature. We also find evidence of a positive spatial correlation between clusters of particles having large displacements in the unstable modes and dynamical heterogeneities.