In
condensed matter physics, the term
geometrical frustration (or in short:
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. 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.