Long range density correlations in disordered solids

Abstract

Although the structure of a glass closely resembles that of a dense liquid over short length scales, its solidity implies that the two-particle distribution function is long range. In this paper the explicit form of this long range behaviour is derived in terms of the elastic constants of the glass and the relationship is shown between density fluctuations and the microscopic form of the displacement vector u(r). With minor modifications these results are valid also for a crystal. Several ramifications of these results are explored.