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  • Title: Molecular view of the isothermal transformation of a stable glass to a liquid.
    Author: Swallen SF, Kearns KL, Satija S, Traynor K, McMahon RJ, Ediger MD.
    Journal: J Chem Phys; 2008 Jun 07; 128(21):214514. PubMed ID: 18537440.
    Abstract:
    We have used neutron reflectivity to measure translational motion on the nanometer length scale in exceptionally stable glasses of tris(naphthylbenzene). These glasses are prepared by vapor deposition onto a substrate held somewhat below the glass transition temperature (T(g) = 342 K). When the most stable samples are annealed at 345 K, no translational motion is observed on the 12 nm length scale for over 10,000 s and full mixing requires more than 60,000 s. For comparison, the equilibrium supercooled liquid mixes in 1000 s at this temperature and on this length scale. These measurements provide insight into the mechanism by which a stable glass transforms into a liquid. "Melting" of the stable glass appears to occur by the growth of liquid regions into the surrounding glassy matrix, perhaps by a surface-initiated growth process. At 345 K, translational motion in the stable glass is at least 100 times slower than motion in the supercooled liquid.
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