Local scale-invariance in disordered systems

Abstract

Dynamical scaling and ageing in disordered systems far from equilibrium is reviewed. Particular attention is devoted to the question to what extent a recently introduced generalization of dynamical scaling to local scale-invariance can describe data for either non-glassy systems quenched to below $T_c$ or else for spin glasses at criticality. The dependence of the scaling behaviour on the distribution of the random couplings is discussed. It is shown that finite-time corrections to scaling can become quite sizable in these systems. Numerically determined ageing quantities are confronted with available experimental results.

invited review, submitted to Springer Lecture Notes in Physics (www.springeronline.com/series/5304), 37 pages, 10 figures