The inherent states of glassy systems and granular media - A statistical mechanics approach

We show that the inherent states of glassy systems and granular materials can be described in the framework of standard Statistical Mechanics as originally proposed by Edwards. We introduce a "tapping" dynamics in the space of the inherent states based on the dynamics used in granular matter. It is assumed that under stationarity or quasi-stationarity the distribution among the inherent states satisfies the principle of maximum entropy. This leads to a distribution characterised by a configurational temperature related to Edwaxds compactivity. Finally the prediction are checked on a lattice model.