Is ergodicity in an oxide glass ionic conductor a matter of time?

Abstract

From the results of molecular dynamic simulations of lithium metasilicate glass–at temperatures above and below their transition temperature (Tg)–we propose a simple graphical representation to search for the broken ergodicity in an ionic oxide glass. Knowing when ergodicity is lost is critical for the proper use of statistical mechanics as a tool for measuring dynamical and structural properties through molecular dynamic simulation. This work shows how an abrupt qualitative transformation occurs in the way the system explores its possible states when it goes down below the glass transition temperature range. We revise the broken ergodicity phenomena through its relationship with the observation time and the dynamic diversity of their atoms.