Eur. Phys. J. B (2016) 89: 259
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2016-70414-x

Regular Article

Nonequilibrium dynamics of the three-dimensional Edwards-Anderson spin-glass model with Gaussian couplings: strong heterogeneities and the backbone picture

¹ Departamento de Física, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, INFAP, CONICET, Chacabuco 917, D5700 BWS San Luis, Argentina
² CONICET, Centro Atómico Bariloche, R8402AGP San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina

^a e-mail: froma@unsl.edu.ar

Received: 4 July 2016
Received in final form: 27 September 2016
Published online: 28 November 2016

Abstract

We numerically study the three-dimensional Edwards-Anderson model with Gaussian couplings, focusing on the heterogeneities arising in its nonequilibrium dynamics. Results are analyzed in terms of the backbone picture, which links strong dynamical heterogeneities to spatial heterogeneities emerging from the correlation of local rigidity of the bond network. Different two-times quantities as the flipping time distribution and the correlation and response functions, are evaluated over the full system and over high- and low-rigidity regions. We find that the nonequilibrium dynamics of the model is highly correlated to spatial heterogeneities. Also, we observe a similar physical behavior to that previously found in the Edwards-Anderson model with a bimodal (discrete) bond distribution. Namely, the backbone behaves as the main structure that supports the spin-glass phase, within which a sort of domain-growth process develops, while the complement remains in a paramagnetic phase, even below the critical temperature.