Exotic Phenomena in Highly Frustrated Magnetic Systems

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In physics, frustration arises when several microscopic interactions compete and cannot be simultaneously satisfied to minimize the classical energy of the system. Physical systems with strongly competing, or frustrated, interactions are ubiquitous. Examples include nuclear matter in neutron stars, proteins, biological membranes and magnetic materials. Most of the fundamental principles that govern equilibrium collective phenomena in non-frustrated systems of Nature have been discovered over the years through experimental and theoretical studies of "conventional" (non-frustrated) magnetic systems. Likewise, one expects that studies of highly frustrated magnets will lead us to uncover the principles at work in systems with strongly competing interactions. It is the goal of this research program to contribute to our knowledge in the field of frustrated magnetism and to do so by explaining complex phenomena at play in real frustrated magnetic materials and by predicting novel effects that motivate new experimental studies and hence contribute to drive the field forward.