Geometrical frustration (nonfiction)

In condensed matter physics, the term geometrical frustration (or simply frustration) refers to a phenomenon, where atoms tend to stick to non-trivial positions or where, on a regular crystal lattice, conflicting inter-atomic forces (each one favoring rather simple, but different structures) lead to quite complex structures.

Description

As a consequence of the frustration in the geometry or in the forces, a plenitude of distinct ground states may result at zero temperature, and usual thermal ordering may be suppressed at higher temperatures.

Much studied examples are amorphous materials, glasses, or dilute magnets.

The term frustration, in the context of magnetic systems, has been introduced by Gerard Toulouse (1977).

Frustrated magnetic systems had been studied earlier, including G. H. Wannier's study of the Ising model on a triangular lattice with nearest-neighbor spins coupled antiferromagnetically (published 1950).

Nonfiction cross-reference

• Dysprosium titanate (nonfiction)
• Spin glass (nonfiction)
• Spin ice (nonfiction)

Fiction cross-reference

• Dysprosium Titanate - independent kingdom of Titans (nonfiction)
• Gnotilus - supervillain who experiences geometrical frustration as schadenfreude (nonfiction)

External links

• Geometrical frustration wiki.karljones.com
• Geometrical frustration @ Wikipedia