The RFOT Theory of Glasses: Recent Progress and Open Issues

Abstract

The Random First Order Transition (RFOT) theory started with the pioneering work of Kirkpatrick, Thirumalai and Wolynes. It leverages methods and advances of the theory of disordered systems. It fares remarkably well at reproducing the salient experimental facts of super-cooled liquids. Yet, direct and indisputable experimental validations are missing. In this short survey, we will review recent investigations that broadly support all static aspects of RFOT, but also those for which the standard dynamical extension of the theory appears to be struggling, in particular in relation with facilitation effects. We discuss possible solutions and open issues.

Keywords

• Theory of glasses
• Cooperative Dynamics
• Random First Order Transition
• Non-linear susceptibility
• Activated processes
• Super-cooled liquids
• glass transitions