Random-field Ising model criticality in a glass-forming liquid

Area of Science:

• Condensed matter physics
• Statistical mechanics
• Computational physics

Background:

• Supercooled liquids exhibit complex phase diagrams.
• Understanding phase transitions in disordered systems is crucial.
• Field-theoretical approaches predict specific critical behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the extended phase diagram of a supercooled liquid coupled to a quenched configuration.
• To identify and characterize critical points and phase transitions.
• To compare simulation results with field-theoretical predictions.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing computer simulations to model the system.
• Performing extensive finite-size scaling analysis.
• Analyzing system dynamics and overlap autocorrelation functions.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the existence of a random-field Ising model (RFIM) critical point.
• Identified a first-order transition line, consistent with theoretical models.
• Observed activated scaling dynamics and logarithmic stretching in autocorrelation, characteristic of RFIM systems.

Conclusions:

• RFIM criticality is confirmed in the thermodynamic limit for a 3D supercooled liquid at equilibrium.
• The study validates field-theoretical predictions for supercooled liquid behavior.
• Simulation results provide insights into the dynamics near critical points in disordered systems.