What can spin glass theory and analogies tell us about ferroic glasses?

Abstract

As well as several different kinds of periodically ordered ferroic phases, there are now recognized several different examples of ferroic glassiness, although not always described as such and in material fields of study that have mostly been developed separately. In this chapter an attempt is made to indicate common conceptual origins and features, observed or anticipated. Throughout, this aim is pursued through the use of simple models, in an attempt to determine probable fundamental origins within a larger picture of greater complication, and analogies between systems in different areas, both experimental and theoretical, in the light of significant progress in spin glass understanding.