Trap Model and Slow Dynamics in Supercooled Liquids

Original · EN

The predictions of a class of phenomenological trap models of supercooled liquids are tested via computer simulation of a model glass-forming liquid. It is found that a model with a Gaussian distribution of trap energies provides a good description of the landscape dynamics, even at temperatures above Tc, the critical temperature of mode-coupling theory. A scenario is discussed whereby deep traps are composed of collections of inherent structures above Tc and single inherent structures below Tc. Deviations from the simple Gaussian trap picture are quantified and discussed.