ITT-MCT Isotropic (ISM)¶
Quick Reference¶
Use when: Quantitative predictions needed, S(k) available, wave-vector-dependent
dynamics important
Parameters: 5 (\(\phi\), \(\sigma_d\), \(D_0\), \(k_BT\), \(\gamma_c\)) + \(S(k)\) input
Key equation: \(k\)-resolved correlator \(\Phi(k,t)\) with MCT vertex from \(S(k)\)
Test modes: Flow curve, oscillation, startup, creep, relaxation, LAOS
Material examples: Dense colloidal suspensions, hard-sphere glasses, silica particles,
PMMA colloids, concentrated emulsions
Data required: Structure factor \(S(k)\) from experiment or Percus-Yevick
Notation Guide¶
Symbol |
Meaning |
|---|---|
\(\Phi(k,t)\) |
k-resolved density correlator (one function per wave vector) |
\(S(k)\) |
Static structure factor (equilibrium pair correlation) |
\(c(k)\) |
Direct correlation function, \(c(k) = 1 - 1/S(k)\) |
\(V(k,q,p)\) |
MCT vertex function (mode-coupling kernel) |
\(\phi\) |
Volume fraction (control parameter for glass transition) |
\(\phi_g\) |
Glass transition volume fraction (\(\approx 0.516\) for hard spheres) |
\(\sigma_d\) |
Particle diameter (m) |
\(D_0\) |
Bare short-time diffusion coefficient (\(\text{m}^2/\text{s}\)) |
\(k_B T\) |
Thermal energy (J) |
\(\Gamma(k)\) |
k-dependent bare relaxation rate, \(\Gamma(k) = k^2 D_0 / S(k)\) |
\(\gamma_c\) |
Critical strain for cage breaking (dimensionless) |
\(n\) |
Number density (particles/\(\text{m}^3\)) |
Overview¶
The Isotropically Sheared Model (ISM) is the full k-resolved MCT for nonlinear rheology. Unlike the \(F_{12}\) schematic model, ISM tracks correlators at each wave vector \(k\), using the static structure factor \(S(k)\) to compute the memory kernel.
Key differences from \(F_{12}\):
\(k\)-resolved correlators \(\Phi(k,t)\)
Memory kernel from \(S(k)\) via MCT vertex \(V(k,q,|k-q|)\)
Quantitative predictions without empirical parameters
Higher computational cost
When to use ISM:
\(S(k)\) is known (from scattering experiments or simulation)
Wave-vector-dependent relaxation is important
Quantitative comparison with microscopic measurements
Systems where \(F_{12}\) simplifications are too severe
Physical Foundations¶
The ISM model extends the schematic \(F_{12}\) theory (see ITT-MCT Schematic (F_1_2)) to include full \(k\)-dependence. All physical concepts from the schematic model apply: cage effect, \(\beta\)-relaxation, \(\alpha\)-relaxation, glass transition. The key addition is wave-vector resolution of the dynamics.
Why \(k\)-dependence matters:
Length-scale-dependent relaxation: Small \(k\) (long wavelengths) relax slower than large \(k\) (short wavelengths)
Structure factor weighting: Peaks in \(S(k)\) indicate preferred length scales that dominate dynamics
Quantitative stress predictions: Integration over \(k\)-space with \(S(k)\) weighting gives absolute stress values without empirical modulus
The ISM model is the most faithful representation of MCT for colloidal glasses, but requires \(S(k)\) as input and is computationally more expensive than \(F_{12}\).
Structure Factor Input¶
Percus-Yevick (Default)¶
For hard spheres, the analytic Percus-Yevick solution provides \(S(k)\):
model = ITTMCTIsotropic(phi=0.55) # Uses Percus-Yevick automatically
The glass transition occurs at \(\phi_{MCT} \approx 0.516\) for hard spheres.
User-Provided \(S(k)\)¶
For real experimental data:
# From light scattering or X-ray experiments
k_data = np.array([...]) # Wave vectors
sk_data = np.array([...]) # Structure factor
model = ITTMCTIsotropic(
sk_source="user_provided",
k_data=k_data,
sk_data=sk_data
)
Parameters¶
Name |
Default |
Bounds |
Units |
Physical Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
\(\phi\) |
0.55 |
(0.1, 0.64) |
— |
Volume fraction (glass at \(\phi \approx 0.516\)) |
\(\sigma_d\) |
\(10^{-6}\) |
(\(10^{-9}\), \(10^{-3}\)) |
m |
Particle diameter |
\(D_0\) |
\(10^{-12}\) |
(\(10^{-18}\), \(10^{-6}\)) |
m2/s |
Bare short-time diffusion coefficient |
\(k_BT\) |
\(4.1 \times 10^{-21}\) |
(\(10^{-24}\), \(10^{-18}\)) |
J |
Thermal energy |
\(\gamma_c\) |
0.1 |
(0.01, 0.5) |
— |
Critical strain for cage breaking |
Isotropic Shear Approximation (ISM)¶
The ISM simplifies the full anisotropic MCT equations by assuming that the correlator depends only on the magnitude of the advected wavevector.
Wavevector Advection Derivation¶
For simple shear with rate \(\dot{\gamma}\), the advected wavevector is:
The advected magnitude squared is:
Orientational averaging: Averaging over all initial orientations of \(\mathbf{k}\) on a sphere:
This gives the isotropically sheared wavevector magnitude:
Physical interpretation:
At \(\gamma = 0\): \(k(t,t') = k\) (no advection)
At \(\gamma \sim 1\): \(k(t,t') \approx 1.15k\) (moderate stretch)
At \(\gamma \gg 1\): \(k(t,t') \propto k\gamma/\sqrt{3}\) (strong stretch)
The increased wavevector magnitude accelerates relaxation via the bare decay rate \(\Gamma(k) = k^2 D_0/S(k)\).
Governing Equations¶
\(k\)-Resolved Correlator Dynamics¶
Each wave vector \(k\) has its own correlator equation:
with the \(k\)-dependent bare relaxation rate:
This shows that:
Modes with large \(S(k)\) (strong correlations) relax slower
Short-wavelength modes (large \(k\)) have faster bare rates
The memory kernel \(m(k,t)\) couples all \(k\)-modes together
MCT Vertex Function¶
The memory kernel at wave vector \(k\) involves coupling to all other wave vectors:
The vertex \(V\) depends on \(S(k)\) and its derivatives:
where c(k) = 1 - 1/S(k) is the direct correlation function.
\(k\)-Resolved Correlators¶
Each wave vector has its own relaxation dynamics:
with \(k\)-dependent relaxation rate:
Stress from \(k\)-Space Integration¶
The stress tensor involves integration over all wave vectors:
Microscopic Stress Formula Detail¶
The full generalized Green-Kubo expression for the shear modulus is:
Physical interpretation of the weighting factors:
Factor |
Physical Meaning |
|---|---|
\(k^4\) |
Short wavelengths contribute more to stress (local rearrangements) |
\([S'(k)]^2\) |
Modes where S(k) varies rapidly (near the peak) dominate |
\([S(k)]^{-4}\) |
Modes with strong correlations contribute less (collective, slow) |
\(\Phi_k^2\) |
Only correlated (unrelaxed) modes carry stress |
Quantitative predictions without adjustable modulus: Unlike the schematic model where \(G_\infty\) is fitted, ISM computes the stress magnitude directly from \(k_B T\), \(S(k)\), and \(\Phi_k\). This provides a first-principles prediction of yield stress and flow curves.
Equilibrium vs Driven Correlators¶
The correlator dynamics differ between quiescent and driven states:
Quiescent MCT (no shear, for SAOS):
where \(\Gamma_k = k^2 D_0 / S(k)\) is constant.
Driven ITT-MCT (with shear):
where \(\Gamma_k(t,t') = D_0 k(t,t')^2 / S(k(t,t'))\) depends on the advected wavevector.
The key difference is that shear:
Accelerates initial decay via increased \(\Gamma_k(t,t')\)
Decorrelates the memory kernel via \(h[\gamma(t,s)]\)
Creates two-time dependence in the correlator
This microscopic stress formula requires:
\(S(k)\) and its derivative (from structure factor)
\(\Phi(k,\tau)\) for all \(k\) (from solving the \(k\)-resolved MCT equations)
\(h(\dot{\gamma}\tau)\) (strain decorrelation function)
The integral weights contributions by \(k^4 S(k)^2 [S'(k)]^2\), meaning:
Modes near the \(S(k)\) peak contribute most
Both large \(S(k)\) and large \(S'(k)\) enhance stress contribution
Short-wavelength modes (large \(k\)) have higher weight due to \(k^4\)
Validity and Assumptions¶
When ISM works well:
Dense colloidal suspensions (\(\phi > 0.4\) for hard spheres)
Monodisperse or narrow size distribution
No attractive interactions (or weak compared to entropic caging)
Brownian dynamics (not granular or inertial)
\(S(k)\) accurately known (from scattering or theory)
Limitations:
Computationally expensive (\(O(n_k^2 \times N)\) vs \(O(N)\) for \(F_{12}\))
Requires accurate \(S(k)\) input
Assumes isotropic structure under shear (no shear-induced ordering)
No hopping or activated processes (important deep in glass)
Underestimates relaxation times far from transition
When to simplify to \(F_{12}\):
If you don’t have \(S(k)\) data or if qualitative trends are sufficient, use the \(F_{12}\) schematic model instead. ISM is for quantitative comparison with experiments where \(S(k)\) is measured via light scattering, X-rays, or neutron scattering.
What You Can Learn¶
The ISM model extends the \(F_{12}\) schematic with full \(k\)-resolution and quantitative predictions from the structure factor \(S(k)\). All parameters now have microscopic interpretation tied to colloidal physics.
Parameter Interpretation¶
- \(\phi\) (Volume Fraction):
The packing fraction of particles, controlling the glass transition.
For graduate students: \(\phi\) is the order parameter for the jamming/glass transition in hard spheres. The MCT glass transition occurs at \(\phi_{MCT} \approx 0.516\), slightly below the random close packing \(\phi_{RCP} \approx 0.64\). The Percus-Yevick structure factor \(S(k; \phi)\) becomes singular at \(\phi_{MCT}\), where the self-consistent MCT equation develops a non-zero long-time limit \(f(k) > 0\). The separation from the transition scales as \(\varepsilon \sim (\phi - \phi_g)/\phi_g\).
For practitioners: \(\phi < 0.4\) is dilute (fluid), \(0.4 < \phi < 0.516\) is dense fluid (slow but ergodic), \(\phi > 0.516\) is glass (yield stress). Fitting \(\phi\) from rheology requires knowing the particle size \(\sigma_d\) to convert number density to volume fraction. Typical calibration: measure \(\phi\) gravimetrically or via osmotic pressure.
- \(\sigma_d\) (Particle Diameter):
The hard-sphere diameter used to compute S(k) and set the k-grid resolution.
For graduate students: \(\sigma_d\) sets the characteristic length scale for structural correlations. The \(S(k)\) peak occurs at \(k^* \approx 2\pi/\sigma_d\) (nearest-neighbor spacing). In the microscopic stress formula, \(\sigma_d\) appears implicitly through the \(k\)-grid: stress is dominated by modes near \(k^*\) where \(S(k)\) is maximal and \(S'(k)\) is large.
For practitioners: Use \(\sigma_d\) from microscopy (e.g., dynamic light scattering radius), not the hydrodynamic radius. For polydisperse systems, use the number-average diameter. Typical values: 10 nm – 10 \(\mu\text{m}\) for colloids.
- \(D_0\) (Bare Diffusion Coefficient):
The short-time (non-interacting) diffusion coefficient, \(D_0 = k_B T/(6\pi \eta_s a)\) for Stokes-Einstein.
For graduate students: \(D_0\) sets the bare relaxation rate \(\Gamma(k) = k^2 D_0/S(k)\). At high \(k\) (short wavelengths), \(S(k) \to 1\) and \(\Gamma(k) \approx k^2 D_0\) (free diffusion). At the \(S(k)\) peak, \(\Gamma(k)\) is strongly suppressed by the large \(S(k)\), leading to slow collective relaxation. The long-time diffusion coefficient \(D_L = D_0/S(0)\) accounts for thermodynamic slowing.
For practitioners: Measure \(D_0\) from dilute suspension DLS (\(\phi \to 0\) limit) or calculate from Stokes-Einstein using solvent viscosity \(\eta_s\). Typical values: \(10^{-12}\) – \(10^{-9}\) m2/s for colloids in water.
- \(k_B T\) (Thermal Energy):
The thermal energy scale, \(k_B \times\) temperature in Kelvin.
For graduate students: \(k_B T\) sets the absolute stress scale in the microscopic formula \(\sigma \sim (k_B T / 60\pi^2) \int dk\, k^4 [S'(k)]^2 \Phi^2\). For hard spheres, the stress is purely entropic (no potential energy), so \(k_B T\) is the only energy scale. At room temperature, \(k_B T \approx 4.11 \times 10^{-21}\) J.
For practitioners: Use \(k_B T = 4.11 \times 10^{-21}\) J at 25 degrees C. For temperature-dependent studies, scale \(k_B T\) linearly with \(T\). If fitted stress is off by a factor of 2, check if the effective temperature differs from solvent temperature (non-equilibrium heating).
- \(\gamma_c\) (Critical Strain):
The cage-breaking strain scale (same as \(F_{12}\) schematic).
For graduate students: \(\gamma_c\) appears in the strain decorrelation \(h(\gamma) = \exp[-(\gamma/\gamma_c)^2]\). For hard spheres, \(\gamma_c \approx 0.05\text{--}0.1\) corresponds to the Lindemann parameter: the ratio of thermal vibration amplitude to particle spacing. Unlike the schematic model, \(\gamma_c\) in ISM is the only remaining fit parameter — all other quantities are determined by \(\phi\), \(\sigma_d\), \(D_0\), \(k_B T\), and \(S(k)\).
For practitioners: Fit \(\gamma_c\) from the shear-thinning onset in flow curves. Smaller \(\gamma_c\) means easier cage breaking. Typical values: 0.05 (rigid hard spheres), 0.15 (soft microgels), 0.3 (polymeric cages).
Material Classification¶
\(\phi\) Range |
Glass State |
Typical Materials |
\(S(k)\) Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
\(\phi\) < 0.45 |
Dilute fluid |
Low-concentration PMMA colloids, silica sols |
\(S(k)\) peak \(< 2\), weak correlations, fast relaxation at all \(k\) |
0.45 < \(\phi\) < 0.516 |
Dense fluid |
Pre-jammed colloids, moderate emulsions |
\(S(k)\) peak \(= 2\text{--}3\), strong correlations, slow but ergodic, critical slowing as \(\phi \to \phi_g\) |
0.516 < \(\phi\) < 0.55 |
Marginal glass |
Weakly jammed colloids, soft microgel pastes |
\(S(k)\) peak \(> 3\), non-ergodic \(\Phi(k, t \to \infty) > 0\), small yield stress |
0.55 < \(\phi\) < 0.58 |
Moderate glass |
Hard-sphere colloids, carbopol microgels |
\(S(k)\) peak \(> 4\), large \(f(k)\), clear yield stress, pronounced plateau |
\(\phi\) > 0.58 |
Deep glass/jammed |
Highly concentrated colloids, dense emulsions |
\(S(k)\) peak \(> 5\), near-complete arrest, large yield stress, approaching RCP |
Wave-Vector-Dependent Relaxation¶
By inspecting \(\Phi(k,t)\) at different k:
Small \(k\) (long wavelengths, \(k\sigma_d < 1\)): Collective density fluctuations, slow relaxation, sensitive to hydrodynamic interactions
Peak \(k\) (\(k \approx 2\pi/\sigma_d\)): Nearest-neighbor cage length scale, dominates stress response
Large \(k\) (\(k\sigma_d > 5\)): Single-particle rattling, fast relaxation, nearly free diffusion
Diagnostic use: If experimental dynamic light scattering provides \(\Phi(k,t)\) at multiple \(k\), fit the ISM model to all \(k\) simultaneously to validate MCT predictions.
Quantitative Stress Predictions¶
Unlike \(F_{12}\) (which has a fitted modulus \(G_\infty\)), ISM predicts stress from first principles given:
Volume fraction \(\phi\)
Particle size \(\sigma_d\)
Thermal energy \(k_B T\)
\(S(k)\) (from Percus-Yevick or experiment)
No adjustable stress scale: The only rheological fit parameter is \(\gamma_c\) (critical strain). The absolute stress magnitude is predicted from \(S(k)\).
Validation test: Compare ISM predictions to experimental flow curves. If the magnitude is wrong by a factor >2, check:
Is \(S(k)\) correct? (Use experimental scattering if available)
Are particles truly hard spheres? (Softness changes \(S(k)\))
Is temperature correct? (\(k_B T\) enters the prefactor)
Structure Factor Evolution¶
While the current ISM implementation uses static \(S(k)\), inspecting \(S(k)\) features reveals:
\(S(k)\) peak position: Nearest-neighbor distance \(2\pi / k_{\text{peak}}\)
\(S(k)\) peak height: Strength of structural correlations (higher = stronger caging)
\(S(0)\): Compressibility (diverges at jamming in hard spheres)
Connection to \(\phi_g\): The glass transition volume fraction \(\phi_g \approx 0.516\) is where \(S(k)\) becomes so large that \(\Phi(k, t \to \infty) > 0\) for some \(k\).
Fitting Guidance¶
Parameter Initialization¶
Method 1: From known colloid properties
If you have a well-characterized colloidal suspension:
phi = 0.55 # Volume fraction (measured)
sigma_d = 1e-6 # Particle diameter (1 μm)
T = 298 # Temperature (K)
k_BT = 1.38e-23 * T # Thermal energy
eta_s = 1e-3 # Solvent viscosity (water, Pa·s)
D0 = k_BT / (3 * np.pi * eta_s * sigma_d) # Stokes-Einstein
model = ITTMCTIsotropic(phi=phi, sigma_d=sigma_d, D0=D0, k_BT=k_BT)
Method 2: Fit to rheological data
If material properties are unknown, fit \(\phi\) and \(\gamma_c\) to flow curve data, keeping \(\sigma_d\), \(D_0\), \(k_B T\) as physically reasonable estimates.
Troubleshooting¶
Problem: S(k) peak too sharp/broad
Solution: Check if Percus-Yevick is appropriate for your system. For soft particles, provide user S(k) from scattering.
Problem: Predicted stress too high/low
Solution: Adjust \(k_B T\) (effective thermal energy may differ from room temperature in driven systems) or check if \(D_0\) is correct (hydrodynamic interactions).
Problem: Slow computation
Solution: Reduce \(k\)-grid resolution (
n_k_pointsparameter) or use \(F_{12}\) schematic for initial exploration.
Usage¶
Basic Prediction¶
from rheojax.models.itt_mct import ITTMCTIsotropic
import numpy as np
# Hard-sphere glass
model = ITTMCTIsotropic(phi=0.55)
# Check glass state
info = model.get_glass_transition_info()
print(f"Glass: {info['is_glass']}") # True for φ > 0.516
# Flow curve
gamma_dot = np.logspace(-2, 2, 30)
sigma = model.predict(gamma_dot, test_mode='flow_curve')
Inspect \(S(k)\)¶
# Get S(k) information
sk_info = model.get_sk_info()
print(f"S(k) peak at k = {sk_info['S_max_position']:.2f}")
print(f"S(k) max = {sk_info['S_max']:.2f}")
# Access k-grid and S(k) directly
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.loglog(model.k_grid, model.S_k)
plt.xlabel('k')
plt.ylabel('S(k)')
Update Parameters¶
# Change volume fraction and recalculate S(k)
model.update_structure_factor(phi=0.52)
# Or provide new experimental S(k)
model.update_structure_factor(k_data=k_new, sk_data=sk_new)
Model Comparison¶
ISM vs \(F_{12}\)¶
Aspect |
\(F_{12}\) Schematic |
ISM |
|---|---|---|
Correlators |
Single scalar \(\Phi(t)\) |
Array \(\Phi(k,t)\), n_k points |
\(S(k)\) input |
Not needed |
Required |
Parameters |
\(\varepsilon\), \(\Gamma\), \(\gamma_c\), \(G_\infty\) |
\(\phi\), \(D_0\), \(\sigma_d\), \(k_B T\), \(\gamma_c\) |
Glass transition |
At \(v_2 = 4\) |
At \(\phi \approx 0.516\) |
Computation |
\(O(N)\) per step |
\(O(n_k^2 \times N)\) |
Best for |
Fitting, exploration |
Quantitative predictions |
See Also¶
ITT-MCT Schematic (F_1_2) — Simplified \(F_{12}\) schematic model (faster, no \(S(k)\) required)
SGR Conventional (Soft Glassy Rheology) — Handbook — Alternative glass transition framework (trap model)
Shear Transformation Zone (STZ) — Shear transformation zone theory (effective temperature)
When to use ISM vs \(F_{12}\):
Use ISM if: \(S(k)\) is known, quantitative predictions needed, validating MCT theory
Use \(F_{12}\) if: Fitting rheological data, qualitative trends, faster computation
API Reference¶
- class rheojax.models.itt_mct.ITTMCTIsotropic(phi=None, sk_source='percus_yevick', k_data=None, sk_data=None, n_k=100, integration_method='volterra', n_prony_modes=10)[source]
Bases:
ITTMCTBaseITT-MCT Isotropically Sheared Model with k-resolved correlators.
The ISM computes density correlators Φ(k,t) for an array of wave vectors, using the static structure factor S(k) to compute the MCT memory kernel.
The model can use: - Built-in Percus-Yevick S(k) for hard spheres (default) - User-provided S(k) data
- Parameters:
phi (
float|None) – Volume fraction. If provided with Percus-Yevick, determines S(k).sk_source (
Literal['percus_yevick','user_provided']) – Source of structure factor datak_data (
ndarray|None) – Wave vectors for user-provided S(k)sk_data (
ndarray|None) – Structure factor values for user-provided S(k)n_k (
int) – Number of k-grid pointsintegration_method (
Literal['volterra','history']) – Integration method for memory kernel
- k_grid
Wave vector array (1/m or dimensionless)
- Type:
np.ndarray
- S_k
Structure factor at k_grid points
- Type:
np.ndarray
- vertex
MCT vertex matrix V(k,q)
- Type:
np.ndarray
Examples
>>> # Using Percus-Yevick for hard spheres >>> model = ITTMCTIsotropic(phi=0.55) >>> model.get_glass_transition_info() {'is_glass': True, 'phi': 0.55, 'phi_mct': 0.516, ...}
>>> # Using user-provided S(k) >>> model = ITTMCTIsotropic( ... sk_source="user_provided", ... k_data=k_experimental, ... sk_data=sk_experimental ... )
- __init__(phi=None, sk_source='percus_yevick', k_data=None, sk_data=None, n_k=100, integration_method='volterra', n_prony_modes=10)[source]
Initialize ISM model.
- Parameters:
sk_source (
Literal['percus_yevick','user_provided']) – Source of structure factork_data (
ndarray|None) – User-provided structure factor datask_data (
ndarray|None) – User-provided structure factor datan_k (
int) – Number of k-grid pointsintegration_method (
Literal['volterra','history']) – Integration methodn_prony_modes (
int) – Number of Prony modes
- update_structure_factor(phi=None, k_data=None, sk_data=None)[source]
Update structure factor (e.g., after parameter change).
- get_glass_transition_info()[source]
Get information about the glass transition state.
- get_sk_info()[source]
Get information about current S(k).
- get_laos_harmonics(t, gamma_0=0.1, omega=1.0, n_harmonics=5)[source]
Extract Fourier harmonics from LAOS response.
- Parameters:
- Return type:
- Returns:
sigma_prime_n (np.ndarray) – In-phase coefficients [sigma’_1, sigma’_3, sigma’_5, …]
sigma_double_prime_n (np.ndarray) – Out-of-phase coefficients [sigma’’_1, sigma’’_3, sigma’’_5, …]
- model_function(X, params, test_mode=None, **kwargs)[source]
Static model function for Bayesian inference.
NOTE: Bayesian inference is not yet supported for ITT-MCT Isotropic models. The ISM kernel requires full k-grid integration and Prony decomposition for each MCMC sample, making NUTS sampling computationally prohibitive.
Use NLSQ fitting with bootstrap resampling for uncertainty quantification.
- Raises:
NotImplementedError – Always raised - Bayesian inference not supported for ITT-MCT Isotropic models
- Return type: