Hopping frustrations in a two-dimensional classical spin system

The ground state of the classical Heisenberg magnet on a square lattice with dilute frustrated bonds is found to be clusters of quartets of frustrated bonds forming ‘crosses’. As the temperature reaches T1, the cross phase changes to a mixed phase of singletons and pairs. At a much higher temperature, T2, the pairs unbind to form singletons. This scenario is born out of an analysis of the interaction of the frustrated bonds using the microcannonical ensemble.