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Updated: Dec 9, 2025

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Published on: May 9, 2025
Universal Low-Frequency Vibrational Modes in Silica Glasses.
Silvia Bonfanti1, Roberto Guerra1, Chandana Mondal2
1Center for Complexity and Biosystems, Department of Physics, University of Milan, via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy.
Simple glass models show universal low-frequency modes. This study confirms this universal density of states (D(ω)∼ω^{4}) in silica, a realistic network glass, suggesting it
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Statistical Mechanics
Background:
- Simple models of glass formers with binary interactions exhibit universal density of states for quasilocalized low-frequency modes (D(ω)∼ω^{4}).
- The universality of this phenomenon in more complex, realistic glass formers remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the universality of the D(ω)∼ω^{4} low-frequency mode density of states in silica, a realistic network glass.
- To determine if this universal behavior extends beyond simple binary interaction models.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of quasilocalized low-frequency modes in three-dimensional silica.
- Examination of both binary and ternary interactions present in the network glass structure.
Main Results:
- Silica exhibits the universal density of states dependence D(ω)∼ω^{4} at low frequencies.
- This frequency dependence is observed despite the presence of ternary interactions, unlike simpler models.
Conclusions:
- The universal low-frequency mode density of states is a generic characteristic of amorphous glassiness.
- This finding suggests a broader applicability of the universality class beyond simple models.
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