Two-Level Systems and the Tunneling Model: A Critical View

Abstract

The thermal and acoustic properties displayed by a wide variety of glasses at low temperatures are well described by the model of tunneling two level systems (TLS). We review the standard TLS model as well as developments that have occurred since the earlier work. In spite of half a century of effort and impressive successes, mysteries still remain. We discuss some of these longstanding puzzles about glasses at low temperatures and speculate about future directions.