Apparent polyamorphism and frustration

Abstract Polyamorphism in a one-component system implies the coexistence of two macroscopic amorphous condensed phases. An amorphous phase is one in which there is no long-range order, but we envisage here that the observed polyamorphism could in some cases be only `apparent'. Extensive studies of the `apparent' polyamorphism in triphenyl phosphite suggest that its apparently amorphous solid phase is actually a `poor' crystal which is distinct from the stable crystalline phase, but whose stability is nevertheless governed by collective effects. This is relevant information because it helps distinguish among relevant theoretical approaches.