LIQUID TO GLASS-TRANSITION IN SYSTEMS OF INTERACTING RIGID PARTICLES

Systems of rigid particles are in solid and liquid states depending on the number of interparticle contacts. Solid (glass or crystal) and li quid states were determined from the ability of a system to resist the shape change under external force. As a criterion of the liquid to gl ass transition the equality of the number (translational and rotationa l) degrees of freedom F and the number of constraints of these motions C (F = C) was used. System is solid if F < C, and is liquid if F > C. In systems of rigid particles constraints are due to mechanical conta cts (C1) and chemical bonds between the particles (C2). Glasses were c lassified as mechanical (granular systems and metallic glasses) if C1 much greater than C2, chemical (non-organic glasses) if C1 much less t han C2, and combined (polymer glasses) if C1 almost-equal-to C2. Some results of computer imitation confirming the transition criterion are presented.