A Simple Cluster Model for the Liquid–Glass Transition

Using the classical distribution-function approach to simple liquids, we estimate the orientational interaction between clusters consisting of a particle and its nearest neighbors. We show that there are density and temperature ranges where the interaction changes sign as a function of the cluster radius. On this basis, the corresponding model of interacting cubic and icosahedral clusters (of the type of a spin glass model) is proposed and solved in the replica-symmetric approximation. We show that the glass order parameter grows continuously on cooling and the replica-symmetry-breaking temperature can be identified with the glass transition temperature. We also show that on cooling a system of particles with a Lennard–Jones interaction, cubic clusters freeze first. The transition temperature for icosahedral clusters is somewhat lower; therefore, the cubic structure of the short-range order is more likely in a Lennard–Jones glass near transition.