Effective temperatures in an exactly solvable model for a fragile glass

Luca Leuzzi, Theo M. Nieuwenhuizen

Published 2001-01-19Version 1

A model glass is considered with one type of fast ($\beta$-type) of processes, and one type of slow processes ($\alpha$-type). On time-scales where the fast ones are in equilibrium, the slow ones have a dynamics that resembles the one of facilitated spin models. The main features are the occurrence of a Kauzmann transition, a Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann-Hesse behaviour for the relaxation time, an Adam-Gibbs relation between relaxation time and configurational entropy, and an aging regime. The model is such that its statics is simple and its (Monte-Carlo-type) dynamics is exactly solvable. The dynamics has been studied both on the approach to the Kauzmann transition and below it. In certain parameter regimes it is so slow that it sets out a quasi-equilibrium at a time dependent effective temperature. Correlation and Response functions are also computed, as well as the out of equilibrium Fluctuation-Dissipation Relation, showing the uniqueness of the effective temperature, thus giving support to the rephrasing of the problem within the framework of out of equilibrium thermodynamics.