Simple and Broadly Applicable Definition of Shear Transformation Zones

Plastic deformation in amorphous solids is known to be carried by stress-induced localized rearrangements of a few tens particles, accompanied the conversion elastic energy heat. Despite their central role determining how glasses yield and break, search for simple generally applicable definition precursors those plastic rearrangements---the so-called shear transformation zones (STZs)---is still ongoing. Here we present STZs---based solely on harmonic approximation glass's energy. We explain why demonstrate directly that our proposed plasticity carriers more broadly compared anharmonic definitions put forward previously. Finally, offer an open-source library analyzes low-lying STZs computer laboratory materials such as dense colloidal suspensions which accessible. Our results constitute physically motivated methodological advancement towards characterizing mechanical disorder glasses, understanding they yield.