Crystal structure

In mineralogy a crystal structure is completely described by its unit cell lattice parameters, its space group[?] symbol and the positions of the atoms that, when operated on by the essential rotational and translational symmetry operations, will generate entire contents within the unit cell.

A crystal structure is a concept fundamental to many areas of science and technology. Along with the unit cell lattice parameters, its space group[?] symbol and the positions of the atoms entirely describe a crystal structure.

Table of contents 1 Unit cell 1.1 Bravais lattices 1.1.1 Cubic, simple 1.1.2 Cubic, body-centered 1.1.3 Cubic, face-centered 1.1.4 Tetragonal, simple 1.1.5 Orthohombic, simple 1.1.6 Monoclinic, simple 1.1.7 Rhombohedral 1.1.8 Hexagonal 1.2 See also

Unit cell

A unit cell is the orderly spatial arrangement of atoms in the molecular structure of a crystal.

The simplest and most symetrical, the isometric system, is represented by the cube. The other six systems, in order of decreasing symetry, are hexagonal, tetragonal, trigonal[?], orthorhombic[?], monoclinic[?] and triclinic[?].

Bravais lattices

Cubic, simple

Cubic, body-centered

Cubic, face-centered

Tetragonal, simple

Orthohombic, simple

Monoclinic, simple

Rhombohedral

Hexagonal

See also

Crystal for a general definition and overview -- Crystallography -- Crystallographic defects

For more detailed information in specific technology applications see materials engineering,materials science, ceramics, metallurgy, or materials physics.