An Alternative Look at the Dynamics of Amorphous Condensed Matter

The conceptual basis and initial detailed development of a new analytical cooperative theory of materials dynamics (CTMD)Cooperative Theory of Materials Dynamics (CTMD) is presented and discussed in detail for amorphous condensed matter, assumed in thermodynamic equilibrium at constant volume conditionsThermodynamic equilibriumconstant volume conditions. Grounded on the assumption and definition of primitive relaxor(s) for each system, their random association in clusters of varying sizes, and an application of the transition state theory (TST) (TST), a set of clusterClusteringcluster size-dependent frequencies is derived that are shown to (1) define the concepts and determine the values of the so-called crossover temperatureCrossovertemperature and frequencyCrossoverfrequency, (2) explain the origin and nature of the growing cooperativity and super-Arrhenius behavior as an amorphous material is cooled, (3) link the above behavior to the so-called -relaxation and the glass transition, (4) start explaining the reasons behind the apparent universality of the behavior of amorphous condensed matter, and (5) lay promising foundations for the possible future development of an equilibrium theory of glasses (ETG). Very wide ranges of timescales, much beyond those accessible via experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, may be handled by the theory with simple mathematics and very fast computations.