Disentangling boson peaks and Van Hove singularities in a model glass

Abstract

Using the example of a two-dimensional macroscopic model glass in which the interparticle forces can be precisely measured, we obtain strong hints for resolving a controversy concerning the origin of the anomalous enhancement of the vibrational spectrum in glasses (boson peak). Whereas many authors attribute this anomaly to the structural disorder, some other authors claim that the short-range order, leading to washed-out Van Hove singularities, would cause the boson-peak anomaly. As in our model system, the disorder-induced and shortrange--order-induced features can be completely separated, we are able to discuss the controversy about the boson peak in real glasses in a new light. Our findings suggest that the interpretation of the boson peak in terms of short-range order only, might result from a coincidence of the two phenomena in the materials studied. In general, as we show, the two phenomena both exist, but are two completely separate entities.