Self-organization and rigidity in network glasses

Rigidity theory has helped in our understanding of the properties of network glasses. We analyze the connection between rigidity and various non-random features in the network structure. Lack of small rings in the network can lead to a sharper rigidity transition. We review a model of network self-organization that we have proposed, in which the existence of an intermediate phase that is rigid, but stress-free, is predicted. Finally, we discuss recent experiments, in which this intermediate phase may have been observed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.