Reexamination of the depolarized-light-scattering spectra of glass-forming liquids

We reexamine the depolarized-light-scattering data of Cummins and co-workers [Phys. Rev. A 45, 3867 (1992); 46, 3343 (1992); Phys. Rev. E 47, 4223 (1993)] and interpret these data rather differently than they. These authors make use of the mode-coupling theory of glasses which makes a number of significant predictions that have been associated with the observed behavior of supercooled liquids as they approach the glassy state. To date the strongest experimental support for the mode-coupling theory of glasses comes from the analysis by Cummins and co-workers of their depolarized-light-scattering data. For this reason it is particularly important to subject this analysis to careful scrutiny. Our conclusion is that these data do not show strong evidence for the critical behavior predicted by the mode-coupling theory of glasses.