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Jamming transition in granular media: a mean-field approximation and numerical simulations
A Fierro1, M Nicodemi, M Tarzia
1Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, INFM and INFN, via Cinthia, 80126 Napoli, Italy.
Summary
This study reveals that the jamming transition in granular materials shares fundamental similarities with the glass transition in conventional glass formers. Analytical and simulation methods confirm glassy features, offering a precise interpretation of granular jamming.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Statistical Mechanics
Background:
- Granular materials exhibit a jamming transition, a critical point where they shift from a fluid-like to a solid-like state.
- The nature of this transition and its relation to other phase transitions, like the glass transition, remain areas of active research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analytically investigate the jamming transition in granular materials using a cavity method mean-field theory.
- To compare the jamming transition with the glass transition observed in mean-field models of glass formers.
- To simulate a granular model in three dimensions to observe jamming dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Application of cavity method mean-field theory within a statistical mechanics framework.
- Development of a lattice model for analytical study.
- Three-dimensional simulations employing tap dynamics.
Main Results:
- The lattice model exhibits a transition analogous to the glass transition in mean-field models.
- Simulations reveal a jamming transition with distinct glassy features, including two-step relaxation decays.
- Observed dynamic heterogeneities in granular systems resemble those in glassy materials.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms the long-speculated connection between jamming transitions in granular media and glass transitions in conventional glass formers.
- A precise interpretation of the jamming transition's nature, highlighting its glassy characteristics, is provided.