Fluctuations, response and aging dynamics in a simple glass-forming liquid out of equilibrium

Abstract

By means of molecular dynamics computer simulations we investigate the out of equilibrium relaxation dynamics of a simple glass former, a binary Lennard-Jones system, after a quench to low temperatures. We study both one time quantities and two-times correlation functions. Two-times correlation functions show a strong time and waiting time $t_w$ dependence. For large $t_w$ and times corresponding to the early $\beta$-relaxation regime the correlators approach the Edwards-Anderson value by means of a power-law in time. at long times $\tau$ the correlation functions can be expressed as $C_{\rm AG}(h(t_w+\tau)/h(t_w))$ and compute the function $h(t)$. This function is found to show a $t$-dependence which is a bit stronger than a logarithm and to depend on the observable considered. Finally we discuss our measurements of the time dependent response function. We find that at long times the correlation functions and the response are not related by the usual fluctuation dissipation theorem but that this relation is similar to the one found for spin glasses with one step replica symmetry breaking.