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Classification of Lattices and Structures

This document discusses the classification of crystal lattices and structures based on their symmetry properties. It describes that lattices can be classified into seven crystal systems depending on their symmetry operations like translations, rotations, reflections and inversion. These crystal systems are cubic, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, triclinic, trigonal and hexagonal, with the cubic system having the highest symmetry and triclinic the lowest. It also discusses the different Bravais lattices that fall under each crystal system based on restrictions on their lattice parameters and angles.

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Bilal Barut
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172 views

Classification of Lattices and Structures

This document discusses the classification of crystal lattices and structures based on their symmetry properties. It describes that lattices can be classified into seven crystal systems depending on their symmetry operations like translations, rotations, reflections and inversion. These crystal systems are cubic, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, triclinic, trigonal and hexagonal, with the cubic system having the highest symmetry and triclinic the lowest. It also discusses the different Bravais lattices that fall under each crystal system based on restrictions on their lattice parameters and angles.

Uploaded by

Bilal Barut
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Classica(on

of La.ces and Crystal Structures


A brief summary
Considered only translational symmetry so far. There are (obviously)
other symmetries.
classification based on all rigid operations that take
the lattice into itself. This set is known as the symmetry group or
space group of the lattice. Types of operations : translations,
rotations, reflections and inversion.
Any symmetry oera,on of a BL can be compounded out of a
transla,on TR through a BL vector R, and a rigid opera,on
leaving at least one point xed.

Seven Crystal Systems


Point Group: a subset of opera,ons that leave one point xed
Space group TR + Point group opera(on

There are 7 point groups and 14 dis(nct Space groups

Classica(on of La.ces and Crystal Structures


In order of decreasing symmetry ( the Bravais La.ces)

a
- Cubic (3) (sc, fcc, bcc)
a

a
- Tetragonal (2) (simple T and centered T)
(rect. Prism with square base)

- Orthorhombic (4) (so, base co, bco, fco)
(No two sides of same length)

- Monoclinic (2) (sm, cm)
c
(2 right angles)
b

a
c
- Triclinic (1)
(No rt angles)
b
a

c
a

a
c
b

Classica(on of La.ces and Crystal Structures


In order of decreasing symmetry (cont.)

- Trigonal
(Stretch a cube along body diagonal;
no rt. angles, but all sides equal and
all angles between prim. vectors equal)


- Hexagonal (unrelated to cube)
(right prism with regular hexagon as base

a
a

Classica(on of La.ces and Crystal Structures


Summary (pictorial)

Classica(on of La.ces and Crystal Structures


Summary (tabular)
System

# of
la.ces

La.ce symbols

Restric(ons on
conven(onal cell axes and
angles

Cubic

P (sc), I (innencentric) (bcc), F


(fcc)

a = b = c
= = = 90

Tetragonal

P, I

a = b = c
= = = 90

Orthorhombic

P, C (base centered), I, F

a b c
= = = 90

Monoclinic

P, C

a b c
= = 90

Triclinic

a b c
90

Trigonal

R (rhombohedral)

a = b = c
= = < 120 90

Hexagonal
(Simple)

a = b c
= = 90, = 120

For general crystal la\ces (not just BL) there are 230 space groups (14 for BL), and 32
point groups (7 for BL)

Classica(on of La.ces and Crystal Structures


Symmetry opera(ons
Example: cube

Cube with
octahedron

Cube with
tetrahedron

13 axes of rot. symm.


3 edges (4); 4 body diag (3);
6 face diag (2) www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBg4-IJ19Gg
E very symmetry opera,on of a cube is also a symmetry opera,on of a regular
octahedron, and vice versa. Not every symmetry opera,on of a cube is a symm. op. of
a regular tetrahedron.; e.g., rot of 90 about vert. axis shown is a symm. op. of cube,
but not tetrahedron.
Students read appropriate sec(on in A&M

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