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Space Group Diagram Symbols

Each of the space group diagrams illustrated in this hypertext book contains one or
more of the symbols shown in the table below. More information may be discovered by
clicking on the symbols.
Note that the symbols may occasionally be discussed with reference to screen Cartesian
coordinates, i.e. the plane of the screen is XY with the X direction horizontal and Y
direction vertical. Likewise the normal to the screen is referred to as Z. Fractional cell
coordinates are always given in italized lowercase form, i.e. x,y,z.
Symmetry Equivalent Points


The first symbol above shows the position of a point (or atom or molecule) within the
unit cell. The "+" sign represents the height +z. An open circle indicates a particular
handedness for this point. In each space group diagram, the bottom left-hand region of
the unit cell has been chosen for the position of an initial point with coordinates x,y,z.
Symmetry equivalent positions are shown relative to this initial point.
The second symbol represents a point related by symmetry to the initial point, but now
at a height 1/2+z. As an open circle, it has the same handedness as the initial point.
Thus, in this instance, it is related either by a screw axis parallel to Z or by a lattice
translation to the initial point.
The " " in the third symbol indicates a change of handedness with respect to the initial
point due to the presence of either a rotary-inversion axis or a plane within the space
group. Note that height of the point is now -z. The fourth symbol shows a symmetry
equivalent point of the opposite handednes and height 1/4-z.
Finally, certain symmetry operations will result in two symmetry equivalent points
being superimposed in the space group diagram. Thus a mirror plane in the plane of the
screen will reflect the initial point from +z to -z with a change of handedness, but
without any change in the x,y coordinates of the point. The effect of this is shown in the
fifth symbol where the right-half might represent the initial point and the left-half is the
symmetry equivalent position resulting from the operation of the mirror acting in the
XY plane.
Mirror Plane (m)


The symbol above shows a mirror plane parallel to the plane of the screen. (Note that
for non-orthogonal axes, the angle formed by the symbol is the same as the cell angle
rather than 90.) When present, this symbol is shown at the bottom left-hand corner of
the space-group diagram. A fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of
the mirror above the XY plane. A mirror plane perpendicular to the c-axis and passing
through the origin, i.e. the plane x,y,0, will have the corresponding symmetry
operator x,y,-z. This plane has the written symbol "m".

The symbol shown above corresponds to a mirror plane perpendicular to the plane of
the screen with its normal perpendicular to the solid line. A mirror plane perpendicular
to the b-axis and passing through the origin, i.e. the plane x,0,z, will have the
corresponding symmetry operator x,-y,z.
Twofold Axis (2)


The symbol above shows a twofold axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen, i.e
parallel to Z. A twofold axis is equivalent to a rotation of 180 about a line. A twofold
rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, will have the corresponding symmetry
operator -x,-y,z. This axis has the written symbol "2".

The symbol shown above corresponds to a twofold axis, but now parallel to the
Cartesian X direction. A twofold rotation about the x-axis will have the corresponding
symmetry operator x,-y,-z. A fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of
the axis of rotation above the XY plane.

In space group diagrams for cubic symmetry, twofold axes may appear inclined at an
angle of 45 to the XY plane. The symbol for these is shown above, the dot indicating
the exact position of intersection with the plane.
Centre of Inversion on Twofold Axis (2 / m)


The symbol above shows a twofold axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen, i.e
parallel to Z, with a centre of inversion on the axis. This combination results when there
is a mirror plane perpendicular to the twofold axis, hence the written symbol "2 / m". A
fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of the inversion centre above the
XY plane.

Centre of Inversion on Twofold Screw
Axis (2
1
/ m)


The symbol above shows a two-one screw axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen,
i.e parallel to Z, with a centre of inversion on the axis. This combination results when
there is a mirror plane perpendicular to the two-one screw axis, hence the written
symbol "2
1
/ m".
A fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of the inversion centre above
the XY plane. The mirror plane is separated from the centre of inversion by 1/4 of the
repeat distance in the lattice along the axis direction.

Centre of Inversion (-1)


The symbol above shows a centre of inversion. It is present in all centrosymmetric
space group diagrams. A fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of the
inversion centre above the XY plane. A centre of inversion at the origin will have the
corresponding symmetry operator -x,-y,-z. It has the written symbol "-1" (where the
minus sign is usually written above the digit). On the space group diagrams, it may be
shown in combination with twofold, threefold, fourfold, or sixfold rotation axes or two-
one, four-two, or six-three screw axes.
Threefold Axis (3)


The symbol above shows a threefold axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen, i.e.
parallel to Z. A threefold axis is equivalent to an anticlockwise rotation of 120 about a
line. A threefold rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, will have the
corresponding symmetry operator -y,x-y,z. This axis has the written symbol "3".

In space group diagrams for cubic symmetry, all the threefold axes are inclined at an
angle of 54.736 to the XY plane. The symbol for these is shown above, the dot
indicating the exact position of intersection with the plane.
Threefold Screw Axes (3
n
)


The symbols above show threefold screw axes perpendicular to the plane of the screen,
i.e parallel to Z. A threefold screw axis is equivalent to an anticlockwise rotation of
120 about a line followed by a translation parallel to that line. The translation is either
1/3 or 2/3 of the repeat distance in the lattice along that direction for three-one and
three-two screw axes, respectively. A threefold rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the
line 0,0,z, followed by a translation of 1/3 c along it, will have the corresponding
symmetry operator -y,x-y,1/3+z. In contrast to a two-one screw axis, three-one and
three-two axes exhibit handedness corresponding to right-handed and left-handed
helices, respectively. They have the written symbols "3
1
" or "3
2
", respectively.

In space group diagrams for cubic symmetry, all the threefold screw axes are inclined at
an angle of 54.736 to the XY plane. The symbol for these are shown above, the dot
indicating the exact position of intersection with the plane.
Threefold Inversion Axis (-3)


The symbol above shows a threefold inversion axis, i.e. a threefold axis perpendicular
to the screen with a centre of inversion on it. A fractional value next to the symbol
indicates the height of the inversion centre above the XY plane. As with the threefold
axis, a positive rotation is anticlockwise. A threefold rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about
the line 0,0,z, followed by an inversion at the origin will have the corresponding
symmetry operator y,-x+y,-z. This axis has the written symbol "-3" (where the minus
sign is usually written above the digit).
Fourfold Axis (4)


The symbol above shows a fourfold axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen, i.e
parallel to Z. A fourfold axis is equivalent to an anticlockwise rotation of 90 about a
line. A fourfold rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, will have the
corresponding symmetry operator -y,x,z. This axis has the written symbol "4".

In space group diagrams for cubic symmetry, fourfold axes are shown along both X and
Y directions as well as along the Z direction when present. The symbol for these is
shown above.



Fourfold Screw Axes (4
n
)


The symbols above show fourfold screw axes perpendicular to the plane of the screen,
i.e parallel to Z. A fourfold screw axis is equivalent to an anticlockwise rotation of 90
about a line followed by a translation parallel to that line. The translation is either 1/4,
1/2, or 3/4 of the repeat distance in the lattice along the axis for four-one, four-two, and
four-three screw axes, respectively. A four-one screw axis with a fourfold rotation about
the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, followed by a translation of 1/4 c along it, will have
the corresponding symmetry operator -y,x,1/4+z.
Note that four-one and four-three are equivalent except for handedness (right- and left-
handed, respectively), in contrast to the four-two axis which has no handedness. These
axes have the written symbols "4
1
", "4
2
", and "4
3
", respectively.

In space group diagrams for cubic symmetry, fourfold screw axes are shown along both
X and Y directions as well as along the Z direction when present. A fractional value
next to the symbol indicates the height of the axis of rotation above the XY plane.
Fourfold Inversion Axis (-4)


The symbol above shows a fourfold inversion axis, i.e. a fourfold inversion axis
perpendicular to the screen. A fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of
the inversion centre above the XY plane. As with the fourfold axis, a positive rotation is
anticlockwise. A fourfold rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, followed by
an inversion at the origin will have the corresponding symmetry operator y,-x,-z. This
axis has the written symbol "-4" (where the minus sign is usually written above the
digit). The solid centre of the symbol emphasises the implied twofold axis that results
from a fourfold inversion axis.

In space group diagrams for cubic symmetry, fourfold inversion axes are shown along
both X and Y directions as well as along the Z direction when present. These are shown
by the symbols above. The right-hand symbol shows the inversion point along the
fourfold inversion axis. By contrast, the line in the left-hand symbol points towards the
inversion point. A fractional value next to either symbol indicates the height of the axis
of rotation above the XY plane.
Centre of Inversion on Fourfold Axis (4 / m)


The symbol above shows a fourfold axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen, i.e
parallel to Z, with a centre of inversion on the axis. This combination results when there
is a mirror plane perpendicular to the fourfold axis, hence the written symbol "4 / m". A
fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of the inversion centre above the
XY plane.
Although not shown, a fourfold inversion axis (-4) is also present with its inversion
point at the same height as the centre of inversion.
Centre of Inversion on Fourfold Screw
Axis (4
2
/ m)


The symbol above shows a four-two screw axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen,
i.e parallel to Z, with a centre of inversion on the axis. This combination results when
there is a mirror plane perpendicular to the four-two screw axis, hence the written
symbol "4
2
/ m".
A fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of the inversion centre above
the XY plane. The mirror plane is separated from the centre of inversion by 1/4 of the
repeat distance in the lattice along the axis direction. Although not shown, a fourfold
inversion axis (-4) is also present with its inversion point at the same height as the
mirror plane, i.e. at 1/4 along the axis from the centre of inversion.
Sixfold Axes (6)


The symbol above shows a sixfold axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen, i.e
parallel to Z. A sixfold axis is equivalent to an anticlockwise rotation of 60 about a
line. A sixfold rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, will have the
corresponding symmetry operator x-y,x,z. This axis has the written symbol "6".


Sixfold Screw Axes (6
n
)


The symbols above show sixfold screw axes perpendicular to the plane of the screen, i.e
parallel to Z. A sixfold screw axis is equivalent to an anticlockwise rotation of 60
about a line followed by a translation parallel to that line. The translation is either 1/6,
1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 5/6 of the repeat distance in the lattice along the axis for six-one, six-
two, six-three, six-four, and six-five screw axes, respectively. A six-one screw axis with
a sixfold rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, followed by a translation of
1/6 c along it, will have the corresponding symmetry operator x-y,x,1/6+z.
Note that six-one and six-five are equivalent except for handedness (right- and left-
handed, respectively) as are six-two and six-four screw axes, in contrast to the six-three
axis, which has no handedness.
These axes have the written symbols "6
1
", "6
2
", "6
3
", "6
4
", and "6
5
", respectively.
Sixfold Inversion Axis (-6)


The symbol above shows a sixfold inversion axis, i.e. a sixfold inversion axis
perpendicular to the screen. A fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of
the inversion centre above the XY plane. As with the sixfold axis, a positive rotation is
anticlockwise. A sixfold rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, followed by
an inversion at the origin will have the corresponding symmetry operator -x+y,-x,-z.
This axis has the written symbol "-6" (where the minus sign is usually written above the
digit). The solid triangle at the centre of the symbol emphasises the implied threefold
axis that results from a sixfold inversion axis.
Centre of Inversion on Sixfold Axis (6 / m)


The symbol above shows a sixfold axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen, i.e
parallel to Z, with a centre of inversion on the axis. This combination results when there
is a mirror plane perpendicular to the sixfold axis, hence the written symbol "6 / m". A
fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of the inversion centre above the
XY plane.
Although not shown, a sixfold inversion axis (-6) is also present with its inversion point
at the same height as the centre of inversion.
Centre of Inversion on Sixfold Screw
Axis (6
3
/ m)


The symbol above shows a six-three screw axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen,
i.e parallel to Z, with a centre of inversion on the axis. This combination results when
there is a mirror plane perpendicular to the six-three screw axis, hence the written
symbol "6
3
/ m".
A fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of the inversion centre above
the XY plane. The mirror plane is separated from the centre of inversion by 1/4 of the
repeat distance in the lattice along the axis direction. Although not shown, a sixfold
inversion axis (-6) is also present with its inversion point at the same height as the
mirror plane, i.e. at 1/4 along the axis from the centre of inversion.
Twofold Axis (2)


The symbol above shows a twofold axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen, i.e
parallel to Z. A twofold axis is equivalent to a rotation of 180 about a line. A twofold
rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, will have the corresponding symmetry
operator -x,-y,z. This axis has the written symbol "2".

The symbol shown above corresponds to a twofold axis, but now parallel to the
Cartesian X direction. A twofold rotation about the x-axis will have the corresponding
symmetry operator x,-y,-z. A fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of
the axis of rotation above the XY plane.

In space group diagrams for cubic symmetry, twofold axes may appear inclined at an
angle of 45 to the XY plane. The symbol for these is shown above, the dot indicating
the exact position of intersection with the plane.


Twofold Screw Axis (2
1
)


The symbol above shows a twofold screw axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen,
i.e parallel to Z. A twofold screw axis is equivalent to a rotation of 180 about a line
followed by a translation parallel to that line. A two-one screw axis with a twofold
rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, followed by a translation of
1/2 c along it, will have the corresponding symmetry operator -x,-y,1/2+z. This axis has
the written symbol "2
1
".

The symbol shown above corresponds to a twofold screw axis, but now parallel to the
Cartesian X direction. A twofold rotation about the x-axis, followed by a
1/2a translation along it, will have the corresponding symmetry operator 1/2+x,-y,-z. A
fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of the axis of rotation above the
XY plane.

In space group diagrams for cubic symmetry, twofold screw axes may appear inclined at
an angle of 45 to the XY plane. The symbol for these is shown above, the dot
indicating the exact position of intersection with the plane.
Threefold Axis (3)


The symbol above shows a threefold axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen, i.e.
parallel to Z. A threefold axis is equivalent to an anticlockwise rotation of 120 about a
line. A threefold rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, will have the
corresponding symmetry operator -y,x-y,z. This axis has the written symbol "3".

In space group diagrams for cubic symmetry, all the threefold axes are inclined at an
angle of 54.736 to the XY plane. The symbol for these is shown above, the dot
indicating the exact position of intersection with the plane.




Threefold Screw Axes (3
n
)


The symbols above show threefold screw axes perpendicular to the plane of the screen,
i.e parallel to Z. A threefold screw axis is equivalent to an anticlockwise rotation of
120 about a line followed by a translation parallel to that line. The translation is either
1/3 or 2/3 of the repeat distance in the lattice along that direction for three-one and
three-two screw axes, respectively. A threefold rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the
line 0,0,z, followed by a translation of 1/3 c along it, will have the corresponding
symmetry operator -y,x-y,1/3+z. In contrast to a two-one screw axis, three-one and
three-two axes exhibit handedness corresponding to right-handed and left-handed
helices, respectively. They have the written symbols "3
1
" or "3
2
", respectively.

In space group diagrams for cubic symmetry, all the threefold screw axes are inclined at
an angle of 54.736 to the XY plane. The symbol for these are shown above, the dot
indicating the exact position of intersection with the plane.
Fourfold Axis (4)


The symbol above shows a fourfold axis perpendicular to the plane of the screen, i.e
parallel to Z. A fourfold axis is equivalent to an anticlockwise rotation of 90 about a
line. A fourfold rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, will have the
corresponding symmetry operator -y,x,z. This axis has the written symbol "4".

In space group diagrams for cubic symmetry, fourfold axes are shown along both X and
Y directions as well as along the Z direction when present. The symbol for these is
shown above.
Fourfold Screw Axes (4
n
)


The symbols above show fourfold screw axes perpendicular to the plane of the screen,
i.e parallel to Z. A fourfold screw axis is equivalent to an anticlockwise rotation of 90
about a line followed by a translation parallel to that line. The translation is either 1/4,
1/2, or 3/4 of the repeat distance in the lattice along the axis for four-one, four-two, and
four-three screw axes, respectively. A four-one screw axis with a fourfold rotation about
the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, followed by a translation of 1/4 c along it, will have
the corresponding symmetry operator -y,x,1/4+z.
Note that four-one and four-three are equivalent except for handedness (right- and left-
handed, respectively), in contrast to the four-two axis which has no handedness. These
axes have the written symbols "4
1
", "4
2
", and "4
3
", respectively.

In space group diagrams for cubic symmetry, fourfold screw axes are shown along both
X and Y directions as well as along the Z direction when present. A fractional value
next to the symbol indicates the height of the axis of rotation above the XY plane.

Fourfold Inversion Axis (-4)


The symbol above shows a fourfold inversion axis, i.e. a fourfold inversion axis
perpendicular to the screen. A fractional value next to the symbol indicates the height of
the inversion centre above the XY plane. As with the fourfold axis, a positive rotation is
anticlockwise. A fourfold rotation about the c-axis, i.e. about the line 0,0,z, followed by
an inversion at the origin will have the corresponding symmetry operator y,-x,-z. This
axis has the written symbol "-4" (where the minus sign is usually written above the
digit). The solid centre of the symbol emphasises the implied twofold axis that results
from a fourfold inversion axis.

In space group diagrams for cubic symmetry, fourfold inversion axes are shown along
both X and Y directions as well as along the Z direction when present. These are shown
by the symbols above. The right-hand symbol shows the inversion point along the
fourfold inversion axis. By contrast, the line in the left-hand symbol points towards the
inversion point. A fractional value next to either symbol indicates the height of the axis
of rotation above the XY plane.




Diagonal Planes (Cubic Crystal System Only)


For space groups associated with the point groups -43m and m-3m in the cubic crystal
system there are planes inclined at 45 to the XY plane of the screen. These are shown
using the symbols shown above. The thin outer ring simply indicates the XY plane. The
thick solid line shows a mirror plane bisecting the YZ axes, i.e. with its normal parallel
to -YZ. The dashed line shows a glide plane bisecting the XZ axes, i.e. with its normal
parallel to -XZ with the glide direction along Y. This is to be contrasted to the dotted
line which bisects the -XZ axes and has the glide direction along -XZ. Finally, the
dashed-dotted line (which bisects the -YZ axes) indicates a glide direction
simultaneously along X and -YZ. In centred space groups, the presence of a dashed and
double-dotted line indicates superimposed glide planes with a glide either along one of
the axes or along the bisecting direction normal to that axis.

The cubic space groups I-43d and Ia-3d have diagonal d-glide planes in which the
translation is both 1/4 along an axis direction and 1/4 along the face-diagonal direction,
e.g. 1/4+x,1/4+z,1/4+y. These are illustrated, as shown above, by a dashed-dotted line
with an arrow to show the sense of the translation. The presence of this type of d-glide
plane automatically implies a body-centred lattice.
Space Group Notation

The space group symbols used follows the Hermann-Mauguin notation. The equivalent
Schoeflies symbols are not provided.
The initial letter of a space group symbol represents the lattice type which may
primitive (P), single-face centred (A, B, or C), all-face centred (F), body-centred (I), or
rhomohedrally centred (R). (For rhomohedral space groups, a primitive unit cell may
also be chosen, but the symbol R is still used so as to distinguish these space groups
from the primitive trigonal space groups based on hexagonal axes.)
Note that in the discussion given below, the bar above an axis (indicating an inversion
axis) is written with a minus sign in front of the rotation axis symbol.
Triclinic: Symbol type P-1.
Following the lattice type, the remaining symbol is either 1 or -1 showing the absence
or presence of an inversion centre, respectively.
Monoclinic: Symbol types P2, Pm, P2/m.
After the lattice type, the remaining part of the space group symbol indicates symmetry
with respect to the unique axis direction, i.e. axes parallel to the unique axis or planes
perpendicular to it. Note that the short form of the space group symbol omits the two
"1"s for the symmetry with respect to the other two axes.
Orthorhombic: Symbol types P222, Pmm2 (or Pm2mor P2mm), Pmmm.
After the lattice type, there are three parts to the space group symbol indicating the
symmetry with respect to the x, y, and z axis directions, respectively. Thus, for example,
the space group symbol Pnma indicates a primitive lattice with an n-glide plane
perpendicular to the x axis, a mirror plane perpendicular to the y axis, and an a-glide
plane perpendicular to the z axis.
Tetragonal: Symbol types P4, P-4, P4/m, P422, P4mm, P-42m(or P-4m2), P4/mmm.
The tetragonal space groups may be subdivided into two groups: Those with and
without additional symmetry with respect to the x and y axes. The fourfold symmetry is
always chosen to lie parallel to the z axis and is specified second in the space group
symbol after the lattice type. For those space groups with symmetry along other the
other axes, e.g. as in P-42m, the next part of the symbol indicates the symmetry with
respect to both the x and y axes. The remaining part of the symbol indicates the
symmetry with respect to both of the diagonals between the x and y axes.
Note that for the enlarged tetragonal unit cells, i.e. C or F centred unit cells, the symbols
chosen to describe the symmetry with respect to the x and y axes, and with respect to the
face-diagonal directions is simply the same as that used for the
equivalent P and I centred cells, but with the order of the symbols reversed e.g. the
symbol C4/mmb is used for the enlarged unit cell of space group P4/mbm. A more
logical symbol in this instance would be C4/mmn.
Trigonal & Rhombohedral: Symbol types P3, P-3, P321, P312, P3m1, P31m, P-
3m1, P-31m.
The threefold symmetry is always chosen to lie parallel to the z axis and the symbol for
it follows the lattice type in the space group symbol. Additional symmetry elements
may be lie parallel to the x and y axes (e.g. the twofold rotation axes in P321) or
perpendicular to them (e.g. the twofold rotation axes in P312). The order of the last two
components of the space group symbol is used to distinguish the two possibilities.

Hexagonal: Symbol types P6, P-6, P6/m, P622, P6mm, P-62m(or P-6m2), P6/mmm.
The order of the symbols in the hexagonal space group symbols is similar to that of the
trigonal space group symbols except that the symmetry with respect to the z axis is now
of order six.
Cubic: Symbol types P23, Pm-3, P432, P-43m, Pm3m.
The symbols of the cubic space group symbols refer to the lattice type (P, F, or I)
followed by symmetry with respect to the x, y, and z axes, then the threefold symmetry
of the body diagonals, followed lastly by any symmetry with respect to the face
diagonals if present.
Crystallographic Point-Group Symmetry

The crystallographic point-group symmetry associated with each space group is given
on the top line of the space-group diagrams. There are 32 crystallographic point groups
and these are shown in the table below:
Triclinic 1* -1
Monoclinic 2* m* 2/m
Orthorhombic 222 mm2* mmm
Tetragonal 4* -4 4/m 422 4mm* -42m 4/mmm
Trigonal 3* -3 32 3m* -3m
Hexagonal 6* -6 6/m 622 6mm* -62m 6/mmm
Cubic 23 m-3 432 -43m m-3m
The 11 centrosymmetric point groups are shown in red, the 11 enantiomorphic point
groups are shown in green, and the 10 polar point groups are shown with an asterisk *.
(Note that in the above table, inversion axes are written with a minus sign in front of the
axis symbol.)
The symbols for point groups -42m, 32, 3m, -3m, and -62m may be written in alternative
forms so as to indicate symmetry with respect to the unit-cell axes, e.g. -42m, 321, and -
31m.



Space Group Diagrams and Tables

The layout of the space group diagrams and tables is best shown by example: The
following pages (shown much smaller than in the rest of the hypertext book) are taken
from the pages for space group P2
1
/c in its standard setting.
Page 1. View of space group P2
1
/c seen down the b axis.

All of the space group diagrams are drawn with the origin placed at the bottom left-hand
corner of the diagram. For an explanation of the symbols used in these diagrams, see the
section on space group diagram symbols. Each diagram shows the short and full space
group symbols, the point group associated with each space group, together with the
allocated space group number.
The left arrow in cyan links the reader to the second page with additional information
about the space group (see page 2 below) while the symmetry operator x,y,z shown in
blue takes the reader to the third page (see page 3 below).
For the monoclinic space groups only, the labels of the axes are clickable providing
views perpendicular to the unique axis as shown below (pages 1a and 1b).
Page 1a. View of space group P2
1
/c seen down the c axis.

Page 1b. View of space group P2
1
/c seen down the a axis.

The primes on the labels a and c in the above two diagrams is a reminder that these
axes do not lie in the plane of the paper.
Page 2. List of the symmetry operators and general reflection conditions.

This page lists the symmetry operators and their associated symmetry element in
symbolic form plus the general reflection conditions for the space group. The symmetry
element is given its location in round brackets "()" and any translational component
associated with it is shown in square brackets "[]". Thus in the above example, the
symmetry operator x,1/2-y,1/2+z corresponds to a c-glide plane parallel to the xz plane
at y = 1/4. The translational component, shown as [0,0,1/2], indicates a half-unit cell
translation parallel to the c axis.
As with the first page, the symmetry operator x,y,z shown in blue takes the reader to the
third page shown below.
Page 3. List of the symmetry operators in "cut & paste" format.

This third page duplicates information from the first page, but provides it in a form that
enables cutting and pasting of the symmetry operators for use in other crystallographic
software.
For centrosymmetric space groups with a centrosymmetric choice of origin, the list is
divided into two halves (as demonstrated above) since many crystallographic programs
do not require the second half of the list. For non-primitive space groups, the list of
symmetry operators does not include those symmetry operators that are related to others
due to the presence of a centred lattice.

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