Unraveling complex systems: the Backtracking Method

Scientists at EPFL and Charles University have developed a new method to analyze the dynamical, out-of-equilibrium properties of complex disordered systems, such as gold with magnetic impurities or opinions spreading on social media. In physics, a "disordered system" refers to a physical system whose components - e.g. its atoms - are not organized in any discernible way. Like a drawer full of random socks, a disordered system lacks a well-defined, ordered pattern due to various factors like impurities, defects, or interactions between components. This randomness makes it difficult to predict the system's behavior accurately. And given that disordered systems are found in anything from materials science to climate or social networks and beyond, this limitation can be a serious, real-life problem. Now, a team of scientists led by Lenka Zdeborová at EPFL have developed a novel approach to understanding how things change and evolve in disordered systems, even when they are undergoing rapid changes, like a temperature change. The study was carried out by Freya Behrens at Zdeborová's lab, and Barbora Hudcová visiting EPFL from the Charles University in Prague.