Solving the spherical p -spin model with the cavity method: Equivalence with the replica results
The spherical p-spin is a fundamental model for glassy physics, thanks to its analytical solution achievable via the replica method. Unfortunately, the replica method has some drawbacks: it is very hard to apply to diluted models and the assumptions beyond it are not immediately clear. Both drawbacks can be overcome by the use of the cavity method; however, this needs to be applied with care to spherical models.