Gardner Phenomenology in Minimally Polydisperse Crystalline Systems

Abstract

We study the structure and dynamics of crystals of minimally polydisperse hard spheres at high pressures. Structurally, they exhibit a power-law scaling in their probability distribution of weak forces and small interparticle gaps as well as a flat density of vibrational states. Dynamically, they display anomalous aging beyond a characteristic pressure. Although essentially crystalline, these solids thus display features reminiscent of the Gardner phase observed in certain amorphous solids. Because preparing these materials is fast and facile, they are ideal for testing a theory of amorphous materials. They are also amenable to experimental realizations in commercially-available particulate systems.

Department

Description

Provenance

Citation

Scholars@Duke

Charbonneau

Patrick Charbonneau

Professor of Chemistry

Professor Charbonneau studies soft matter. His work combines theory and simulation to understand the glass problem, protein crystallization, microphase formation, and colloidal assembly in external fields.


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