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