Experimental Studies of Phase Transitions

9315526康明斯去偏振光散射用于研究多种玻璃形成物（包括CKN、salol、ZnCl2和甘油）玻璃化转变的动力学方面。该研究的主要目的是将实验数据与项目合作者慕尼黑工业大学W. Gotze教授的模式耦合理论（MCT）进行比较。研究人员还将与其他小组合作，进行介电响应、中子散射、超声波和高压测量，以全面了解过冷液体中的结构弛豫过程，并阐明它们在玻璃化转变中的作用。尽管进行了大量的研究，但人们还不了解液体过冷形成刚性玻璃时分子结构的基本性质。该项目将使用许多技术，特别是光散射来研究玻璃化转变，并使用结果来测试玻璃化转变的最新理论。＊＊＊

9315526 Cummins Depolarized light scattering is used to investigate dynamical aspects of the glass transition in a number of glass formers, including CKN, salol, ZnCl2 and glycerol. A major objective of the research is to compare the experimental data with the mode coupling theory (MCT) of Professor W. Gotze, Technical University of Munich, a collaborator in the project. The researchers will also carry out dielectric response, neutron scattering, ultrasonic, and high-pressure measurements in collaboration with other groups in an effort to reach a fully integrated picture of the structural relaxation processes in supercooled liquids and to clarify their role in the glass transition. %%% Despite much investigation, the fundamental nature of the molecular structure of a liquid as it supercools to form a rigid glass is not understood. This project will use a number of techniques, particularly light scattering to investigate the glass transition and to use the results to test a recent theory of the glass transition. ***