Symmetry

Translations (Lattices)
A property at the atomic level, not of crystal shapes Symmetric translations involve repeat distances The origin is arbitrary

1-D translations = a row

Symmetry
Translations (Lattices)
A property at the atomic level, not of crystal shapes Symmetric translations involve repeat distances The origin is arbitrary

1-D translations = a row

a

a is the repeat vector

Symmetry
Translations (Lattices) 2-D translations = a net
a b

Symmetry
Translations (Lattices) 2-D translations = a net
a b
Unit cell

Unit Cell: the basic repeat unit that, by translation only, generates the entire pattern

How differ from motif ??

Symmetry
Translations (Lattices) 2-D translations = a net
b a

Pick any point

Every point that is exactly n repeats from that point is an equipoint to the original

Translations
Exercise: Escher print
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What is the motif ? Pick any point and label it with a big dark dot Label all equipoints the same Outline the unit cell based on your equipoints What is the unit cell content (Z) ?? Z = the number of motifs per unit cell Is Z always an integer ?

Translations
Which unit cell is correct ?? Conventions:
1. Cell edges should, whenever possible, coincide with symmetry axes or reflection planes 2. If possible, edges should relate to each other by lattices symmetry. 3. The smallest possible cell (the reduced cell) which fulfills 1 and 2 should be chosen

Translations
The lattice and point group symmetry interrelate, because both are properties of the overall symmetry pattern
6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9

Translations
The lattice and point group symmetry interrelate, because both are properties of the overall symmetry pattern
6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9 6 9

Good unit cell choice. Why? What is Z? Are there other symmetry elements ?

Translations
The lattice and point group symmetry interrelate, because both are properties of the overall symmetry pattern This is why 5-fold and > 6-fold rotational symmetry wont work in crystals

Translations
There is a new 2-D symmetry operation when we consider translations The Glide Plane: A combined reflection repeat and translation

Step 2: translate

Step 1: reflect (a temporary position)

Translations
There are 5 unique 2-D plane lattices.
2-D Lattice Types Name Oblique Square Hexagonal vectors ab a=b a=b angles g 90o g = 90o g = 120o Compatible Point Group Symmetry* 1, 2 4, 2, m, 1, (g) 3, 6, 2, m, 1, (g) 2, m, 1, (g)

Rectangular ab g = 90o Primitive (P) Centered (C) * any rotation implies the rotoinversion as well

There are 5 unique 2-D plane lattices.

Oblique Net
a b g 90o

Rectangular P Net
a b g = 90o b

Diamond Net
a = b g 90o, 120o, 60o

Rectangular C Net
a b g = 90o b a

Hexagonal Net
a1 = a2 g = 60o

Square Net
a1 = a2 g = 90o

a2 g g

b a g

g a g a2 a1

a1

p2

p2mm

p2mm

p6mm

p4mm

There are also 17 2-D Plane Groups that combine translations with compatible symmetry operations. The bottom row are examples of plane Groups that correspond to each lattice type

Plane Group Symmetry

Combining translations and point groups

Plane Group Symmetry

p211

Tridymite: Orthorhombic C cell

3-D Translations and Lattices

Different ways to combine 3 non-parallel, non-coplanar axes Really deals with translations compatible with 32 3-D point groups (or crystal classes) 32 Point Groups fall into 6 categories

3-D Translations and Lattices

Different ways to combine 3 non-parallel, non-coplanar axes Really deals with translations compatible with 32 3-D point groups (or crystal classes)
3-D Lattice Types angles g 90
o o o

+c

32 Point Groups fall into 6 axes categories Triclinic abc

Name

+a

Monoclinic Orthorhombic Tetragonal Hexagonal Hexagonal (4 axes) Rhombohedral Isometric

abc abc a1 = a 2 c a1 = a 2 = a 3 c a1 = a 2 = a 3 a1 = a 2 = a 3

g = 90 90 g = 90o g = 90
o

= 90o g120o g 90
o o

+b

g = 90

Axial convention: right-hand rule

Triclinic g a b c
c

a I Monoclinic g 90o a b c

=C

Orthorhombic g 90o a b c

a2
a1
a2 Tetragonal g 90o a1 = a2 c

a1

P or C
Hexagonal

Rhom bohedral 90og 0o g90o a1 = a2 = a3 a1a2c

a3

a2
a1

Isometric g 90o a1 = a 2 = a3

3-D Translations and Lattices

Triclinic:

No symmetry constraints. No reason to choose C when can choose simpler P Do so by convention, so that all mineralogists do the same Orthorhombic: Why C and not A or B? If have A or B, simply rename the axes until C

3-D Symmetry
Crystal Axes
+c

+a

+b

Axial convention: right-hand rule

3-D Symmetry

3-D Symmetry

3-D Symmetry

3-D Symmetry

3-D Space Groups

As in the 17 2-D Plane Groups, the 3-D point group symmetries can be combined with translations to create the 230 3-D Space Groups Also as in 2-D there are some new symmetry elements that combine translation with other operations
Glides: Reflection + translation 4 types. Fig. 6.52 in Klein Screw Axes: Rotation + translation Fig. 5.67 in Klein