Experimental identification of topological defects in 2D colloidal glass

Abstract Topological defects are singularities within a field that cannot be removed by continuous transformations. The definition of these irregularities requires an ordered reference configuration, calling into question whether they exist in disordered materials, such as glasses. However, recent w...

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Main Authors: Vinay Vaibhav, Arabinda Bera, Amelia C. Y. Liu, Matteo Baggioli, Peter Keim, Alessio Zaccone
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54857-z
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author Vinay Vaibhav
Arabinda Bera
Amelia C. Y. Liu
Matteo Baggioli
Peter Keim
Alessio Zaccone
author_facet Vinay Vaibhav
Arabinda Bera
Amelia C. Y. Liu
Matteo Baggioli
Peter Keim
Alessio Zaccone
author_sort Vinay Vaibhav
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Topological defects are singularities within a field that cannot be removed by continuous transformations. The definition of these irregularities requires an ordered reference configuration, calling into question whether they exist in disordered materials, such as glasses. However, recent work suggests that well-defined topological defects emerge in the dynamics of glasses, even if they are not evident in the static configuration. In this study, we reveal the presence of topological defects in the vibrational eigenspace of a two-dimensional experimental colloidal glass. These defects strongly correlate with the vibrational features and spatially correlate with each other and structural “soft spots”, more prone to plastic flow. This work experimentally confirms the existence of topological defects in disordered systems revealing the complex interplay between topology, disorder, and dynamics.
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issn 2041-1723
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spelling doaj-art-756bcefee01f449ebd8988294dc4b1bc2025-08-20T02:46:12ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-01-0116111010.1038/s41467-024-54857-zExperimental identification of topological defects in 2D colloidal glassVinay Vaibhav0Arabinda Bera1Amelia C. Y. Liu2Matteo Baggioli3Peter Keim4Alessio Zaccone5Department of Physics “A. Pontremoli”, University of MilanDepartment of Physics “A. Pontremoli”, University of MilanSchool of Physics and Astronomy, Monash UniversityWilczek Quantum Center, School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityInstitute for Experimental Physics of Condensed Matter, Heinrich-Heine-Universität DüsseldorfDepartment of Physics “A. Pontremoli”, University of MilanAbstract Topological defects are singularities within a field that cannot be removed by continuous transformations. The definition of these irregularities requires an ordered reference configuration, calling into question whether they exist in disordered materials, such as glasses. However, recent work suggests that well-defined topological defects emerge in the dynamics of glasses, even if they are not evident in the static configuration. In this study, we reveal the presence of topological defects in the vibrational eigenspace of a two-dimensional experimental colloidal glass. These defects strongly correlate with the vibrational features and spatially correlate with each other and structural “soft spots”, more prone to plastic flow. This work experimentally confirms the existence of topological defects in disordered systems revealing the complex interplay between topology, disorder, and dynamics.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54857-z
spellingShingle Vinay Vaibhav
Arabinda Bera
Amelia C. Y. Liu
Matteo Baggioli
Peter Keim
Alessio Zaccone
Experimental identification of topological defects in 2D colloidal glass
Nature Communications
title Experimental identification of topological defects in 2D colloidal glass
title_full Experimental identification of topological defects in 2D colloidal glass
title_fullStr Experimental identification of topological defects in 2D colloidal glass
title_full_unstemmed Experimental identification of topological defects in 2D colloidal glass
title_short Experimental identification of topological defects in 2D colloidal glass
title_sort experimental identification of topological defects in 2d colloidal glass
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54857-z
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