Abstract: Glasses are out-of-equilibrium materials whose properties are governed by the interplay between atomic structure and dynamics. Understanding this relationship is essential to unravel the microscopic mechanisms underlying the glass transition, the slow relaxation processes below the glass-transition temperature (Tg), and the evolution of glass stability.

This talk will explore structure-dynamics relationships in glasses, with a particular focus on metallic glasses. For this purpose, we combined different advanced synchrotron based and laboratory techniques, to investigate atomic-scale dynamics and their connection to structural relaxation over many length and time scales.

The first part will address the microscopic origins of the glass transition and the dynamical processes occurring across and below Tg [1,2], whereas the second part will focus on the control of glass stability and relaxation through thermal and mechanical protocols, including temperature, pressure, and sample preparation [3,4]. These latter approaches can drive glasses towards distinct metastable states, modifying their relaxation behaviour and physical properties. By examining how processing history influences glass structure, dynamics, and stability, we explore pathways to understand and tailor the behaviour of amorphous materials.

[1] B. Ruta et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. (2012) 109, 165701.
[2] J. Shen et al. Nat. Phys. (2026), 22, 672.
[3] J. Shen et al. Science Adv. (2025), 11 (40), eadz7406
[4] A. Cornet et al. Mat. Today (2026), 92, 304.

About the speaker: Beatrice Ruta is a researcher at the Institut Néel of the French National Research Center (CNRS) in Grenoble, France, and a visiting scientist at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). With 20 years of experience in glass physics, she has authored over 70 scientific papers and delivered more than 50 invited talks at international conferences and workshops. Her research focuses on the structure and dynamics of glasses, particularly metallic glasses, using advanced X-ray techniques, notably X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy, to investigate atomic motion, relaxation processes, and glass stability. She has led major research projects, including a European ERC Starting Grant on glass dynamics (2021–2026) and long-term synchrotron projects. Her awards include the ESRF Young Scientist Award (2015) and the CNRS Bronze Medal (2020).

Inviter:罗鹏

Contact: 赵睿

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