Aging of a colloidal glass under a periodic shear

Abstract

The aging dynamics under a periodic shear of a concentrated suspension of saponite particles is measured. It is observed that the dynamics is fastened by the application of a moderate shear amplitude. Nevertheless, this acceleration does not affect the dynamics of the suspension when the shear is ceased. By applying a succession of shear of various amplitudes, we conclude that the dynamics of the suspension at a time t(w) after complete rejuvenation is independent of the shear history between times 0 and t(w) , as soon as the amplitude of the applied shear is smaller than the characteristic shear gamma(c) necessary to completely rejuvenate the suspension.