Origin of long-term network-glass stability

Determine whether the long-term stability of network glasses originates primarily from configurational entropy or from topological constraints, including in amorphous silica networks.

Background

The paper examines how topological loop linking in amorphous silica depends on the atomistic charge model, even when different models reproduce the same experimental neutron structure factor. The quantum-mechanically informed AIASSE-optimised model yields a linking valence close to that of stable α-cristobalite, whereas the standard-charge model predicts substantially stronger linking in the amorphous network.

This model dependence bears directly on the unresolved physical origin of glass stability. If amorphous and crystalline phases have comparable topological constraints, differences in thermodynamic stability may instead arise from configurational entropy or energetic contributions; alternatively, stronger topological linking in a given model could support a topological explanation. The paper therefore explicitly identifies the relative roles of configurational entropy and topological constraints as an unresolved question.