SELF-INTERSTITIALS AS BASIC STRUCTURAL UNITS OF LIQUIDS AND GLASSES

A recently given interstitialcy model for simple condensed matter stat es is tested by comparing predicitions of the model with available evi dence for (1) the structure as given by the radial distribution functi on, (2) the dynamics of grasses found for the generalized vibrational density of states from inelastic neutron scattering measurements, and thermodynamic properties in the crystalline, glassy and liquid stales given by (3) lattice parameter measurement determination of the therma l equilibrium concentration of interstitials in the crystalline stage, (4) the ratio of Young's modulus to volume changes during relaxation in the glassy state, and (5) the magnitude and temperature dependence of the specific heat in the liquid state. The structure, dynamics and thermodynamic properties are accounted for easily, simply and naturall y in a quantitative, comprehensive and unified way by the interstitalc y model.