Spatially heterogeneous dynamics and dynamic facilitation in a model of viscous silica
arXiv:cond-mat/0402427 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.255901
Abstract
Performing molecular dynamics simulations, we find that the structural relaxation dynamics of viscous silica, the prototype of a strong glass former, are spatially heterogeneous and cannot be understood as a statistical bond breaking process. Further, we show that high particle mobility predominantly propagates continuously through the melt, supporting the concept of dynamic facilitation emphasized in recent theoretical work.
4 pages, 4 figures