Analytical approaches to time and length scales in models of glasses

Abstract

The goal of this chapter is to review recent analytical results about the growth of a (static) correlation length in glassy systems, and the connection that can be made between this length scale and the equilibrium correlation time of its dynamics. The definition of such a length scale is first given in a generic setting, including finite-dimensional models, along with rigorous bounds linking it to the correlation time. We then present some particular cases (finite connectivity mean-field models, and Kac limit of finite dimensional systems) where this length can be actually computed.