Vibrational modes identify soft spots in a sheared disordered packing

M. L. Manning, A. J. Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

332 Scopus citations

Abstract

We analyze low-frequency vibrational modes in a two-dimensional, zero-temperature, quasistatically sheared model glass to identify a population of structural "soft spots" where particle rearrangements are initiated. The population of spots evolves slowly compared to the interval between particle rearrangements, and the soft spots are structurally different from the rest of the system. Our results suggest that disordered solids flow via localized rearrangements that tend to occur at soft spots, which are analogous to dislocations in crystalline solids.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number108302
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume107
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 31 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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