PHASE-TRANSITIONS AND VITRIFICATION

The problem of phase transitions accompanying liquid-to amorphous soli d (glass) transformation is considered. The thermodynamics of glasses and liquids in normal and supercooled states is investigated using the droplet and the mixede stale models Ergodicity violence of non-crysta lline solids is taken into account. It is shown that in the vicinity o f the percolation thresholds of liquid cluster in glass and solid clus ter in liquid, weak first order phase transitions take place. The crit erion for the critical point existence in the liquid-amorphous solid s ystem is obtained. Experimental data on structure and thermodynamics o f the glassing liquids are discussed briefly.