Static and dynamical correlation functions behaviour in attractive colloidal systems from theory and simulation

We present comparisons of theoretical and simulation results for static and dynamical correlation functions for a very simple model of attractive colloidal systems, the short-ranged square-well potential. In the region of the phase diagram investigated, the system displays slow (glassy) dynamics. In particular, we compare the static structure factor calculated by Percus–Yevick closure versus the simulation results, both in the small-and large-wavevector ranges. For the same model, we also compare the non-ergodicity parameter, i.e. the long-time limit of the dynamical density correlators, as calculated by mode-coupling theory and by simulation, confirming the presence of two distinct glassy phases.