A phase-separation perspective on dynamic heterogeneities in glass-forming liquids

C. Cammarota, A. Cavagna, I. Giardina, G. Gradenigo, T. S. Grigera, G. Parisi, P. Verrocchio

Published 2010-01-14Version 1

We study dynamic heterogeneities in a model glass-former whose overlap with a reference configuration is constrained to a fixed value. The system phase-separates into regions of small and large overlap, so that dynamical correlations remain strong even for asymptotic times. We calculate an appropriate thermodynamic potential and find evidence of a Maxwell's construction consistent with a spinodal decomposition of two phases. Our results suggest that dynamic heterogeneities are the expression of an ephemeral phase-separating regime ruled by a finite surface tension.