Nonlinear mechanical response of supercooled melts under applied forces

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Matthias Fuchs; Professor Dr. Thomas Voigtmann
• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2010 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 157463299

We study the nonlinear response of supercooled melts and glass formers to time-dependent, strong applied stresses. To discover whether and when metallic and colloidal glasses yield homogeneously or locally under applied stress, a microscopic theory is developed, based on the integration through transients (ITT) approach in combination with a generalization of inhomogeneous mode-coupling theory (i-MCT). Spatially dependent elastic and plastic deformations, yielding and flow are studied, and microscopic mechanisms leading to strain localization are investigated, to provide insights into the transport mechanisms in melts and amorphous solids far from equilibrium.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 1394: Nonlinear Response to Probe Vitrification