Glassy dynamics in monodisperse hard ellipsoids

Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität - Staudinger Weg 7, D-55099 Mainz, Germany, EU

Corresponding author: pfleider@uni-mainz.de

Received: 1 August 2008
Accepted: 22 August 2008

Abstract

We present evidence from computer simulations for glassy dynamics in suspensions of monodisperse hard ellipsoids. In equilibrium, almost spherical ellipsoids show a first-order transition from an isotropic phase to a rotator phase. When overcompressing the isotropic phase into the rotator regime, we observe super-Arrhenius slowing-down of diffusion and relaxation, accompanied by two-step relaxation in positional and orientational correlators. The effects are strong enough for asymptotic laws of mode-coupling theory to apply. Glassy dynamics are unusual in monodisperse systems. Typically, polydispersity in size, a mixture of particle species or network-forming covalent bonds are prerequisite to prevent crystallization. Here, we show that a slight particle anisometry acts as a sufficient source of disorder. This sheds new light on the question of which ingredients are required for glass formation.