The Intermediate Phase and Self-organization in Network Glasses

Abstract

SummaryWe have discussed the rigidity of random and self-organized networks. We find that there is a single transition from floppy to rigid in random networks, but an intermediate phase intervenes in the self-organized networks. This intermediate phase is rigid but contains no redundant bonds and so is stress-free.Some of this work, in the form of more extensive lecture notes has been presented at a NATO-ASI in Czech Republic in the summer of 2000, and will appear in the NATO-ASI series. We should like to thank D.J. Jacobs for his many contributions to the “pebble game” algorithm and to the US National Science Foundation for support under grant numbers DMR-0078361 and CHE-9903706.