Crossover of aging dynamics in polymer glass: from cumulative aging to non-cumulative aging

Abstract

The aging behavior of polymer glass, poly(methyl methacrylate), has been investigated through the measurement of ac dielectric susceptibility ata fixed frequency after a temperature shift $\Delta T$ ($\le $ 20 K)between two temperatures, $T_1$ and $T_2$. A crossover from cumulative aging to non-cumulative aging could be observed with increasing $\Delta T$ using a twin temperature ($T$-) shift measurement. Based on a growth law of a dynamical coherent length given by activated dynamics, we obtained a unique coherent length for positive and negative $T$-shifts. The possibility of the existence of temperature chaos in polymer glasses is discussed.