The Fascination of Crystals and Symmetry

Unit 3.1
Entering the World of Symmetry
E n t e r i n g t h e W o r l d o f S y m m e t r y
external symmetry of macroscopic objects
Systematization of Crystal Structures
1. Step: Crystal systems
metric + symmetry of the UC
7
2. Step: Bravais lattices
primitive + centered
14
3. Step: Crystal classes
crystallographic PG
32
4. Step: Space groups
complete symmetry
230
Symmetry
from Greek (symmetria)
meaning agreement in dimensions, due proportion, arrangement
Regularity / Harmony
Symmetry operation and Symmetry element
is a (geometrical) reorganization/transformation, which maps an object onto itself
by this operation a congruent image of the motif is generated, i.e. an image which is
indistinguishable of the starting point
Symmetry operation (SO)
a = b = c
a = b = g = 90
90
a = b = c
a = b = g = 90
indistinguishable
Symmetry operation and Symmetry element
a = b = c
a = b = g = 90
90
a = b = c
a = b = g = 90
indistinguishable
axis of rotation
360 / 90 = 4 4-fold axis of rotation
Symmetry element (SE)
is the geometrical object (point, line, plane) on which the SO is carried out
Symmetry operation and Symmetry element
a = b = c
a = b = g = 90
90
a = b = c
a = b = g = 90
indistinguishable
axis of rotation
360 / 90 = 4 4-fold axis of rotation
Symmetry element (SE)
is the geometrical object (point, line, plane) on which the SO is carried out
it comprises at least all invariant spatial points (fixed points) of the operation
Symmetry operation and Symmetry element
a = b = c
a = b = g = 90
180
a = b = c
a = b = g = 90
indistinguishable
axis of rotation
360 / 180 = 2 2-fold axis of rotation
Symmetry element (SE)
is the geometrical object (point, line, plane) on which the SO is carried out
it comprises at least all invariant spatial points (fixed points) of the operation
usually on one SE several different SO can be carried out
Symmetry concerning macroscopic object external symmetry
Symmetry elements of macroscopic objects
1. Identity
2. Mirror plane
3. Axis of rotation
4. Center of inversion
5. Rotoinversion axis
identity
1-fold axis of rotation
(rotation by 360)
symbol E
even the most asymmetric
objects have at least one SE
Mirror symmetry
mirror plane
also called line symmetry or reflection symmetry or bilateral symmetry
an object which does not change upon undergoing a reflection has mirror symmetry,
it is mirror symmetric
In 2D there is a line of symmetry or mirror line, in 3D a plane of symmetry or mirror plane
symbol m
mm
Excursus: Mirror symmetry and Beauty
original right side mirrored left side mirrored
Kelly George
Miss Arkansas 2007
Excursus: Mirror symmetry and Beauty
1995
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Karl Grammer
University of Vienna
http://evolution.anthro.univie.ac.at/institutes/
urbanethology/staff/grammer.html
Academia
ResearchGate
Google Scholars
2007
Picture Credits
If not otherwise stated pictures, images, sketches, clip arts are
self-taken/self-drawn or
public domain
alephcomo1 - Fotolia.com CC-BY-SA 3.0 de | US Air Force | Friedrich Graf
with kind permission of
Karl Grammer
The Fascination of Crystals and Symmetry
Unit 3.2
Rotational symmetry
25-fold axis of rotation
16-fold axis of rotation
!
4-fold axis of rotation
Rotational symmetry
single objects can have rotational symmetry of any order
-fold axis of rotation
rotational symmetry may or may not be combined with mirror symmetry
SO = Rotation by 360 / n SE = n-fold axis of rotation
symbol n (1, 2, 3)
5-fold axis of rotation
3-fold axis of rotation
120
120
120
3-fold axis of rotation
3 3
5
72
120
Combination of Mirror and Rotational symmetry
5-fold axis of rotation
rotational symmetry may or may not be combined with mirror symmetry
1 unique mirror plane 2 unique mirror planes
6-fold axis of rotation
5m 6mm
mm
single objects can have rotational symmetry of any order
Combination of Mirror and Rotational symmetry
single objects can have any rotational symmetry whatsoever
rotational symmetry may or may not be combined with mirror symmetry
2mm
mm
any pair of two orthogonal mirror planes generate a
two-fold axis of rotation at their intersection line
Axis of Rotation Summary
Axis of Rotation
rotation around a axis (= fixed points of
the rotation) with an angle of rotation
after n rotations by the starting
position is reached
n = order of the axis
in crystallography
n = 2, 3, 4, 6

2-fold
3-fold
4-fold
6-fold
180
120
90
60
the number of crystal classes is limited to 32
because of the restrictions of rotational
symmetry in crystals
Picture Credits
If not otherwise stated pictures, images, sketches, clip arts are
self-taken/self-drawn or
public domain
Wikipedia user Stephanb | CC-BY-SA 3.0 Sergey Nivens | Fotolia.com
zentilia - Fotolia.com by-studio - Fotolia.com
with kind permission by Der Linkshnder
www.derlinkshaender.com
The Fascination of Crystals and Symmetry
Unit 3.3
Point symmetry Center of Inversion
also called origin symmetry or center of symmetry
180
symbol i or
1
(one-bar)
x, y, z -x, -y, -z
there is always a matching part, which has the same distance from a central point
but in the opposite direction
in the plane it is identical with rotational symmetry of order 2
(2-fold axis of rotation)
Rotoinversion axis
mirror planes
2-fold axes of rotation
3-fold axes of rotation
no center of inversion
Tetrahedron
rotoinversion axis
Rotoinversion axis
90
i
a rotoinversion is a combined SO, where two transformations have to be carried out
(1) rotation around 360/n
(2) immediately followed by an inversion at a center of symmetry, which lies on the
rotoinversion axis
Tetrahedron
4-fold rotoinversion axis 4 1 = 4 + symbol
Rotoinversion axes of order 1, 2, and 3
1
2
1 = i
2
1
2 = m
odd rotoinversions possess automatically a center of inversion
3 = 3 + 1
1
3
5
2
4
6
Rotoinversion axes of order 4 and 6
4
1
3
2
4
even rotoinversions contain automatically an axis of rotation of the half order
(4-bar contains a 2-fold, and 6-bar contains a 3-fold axis of rotation)
1
3
5
2
4
6
6 = 3 m 1 = 4 + 1 = 6 +
if the order n is even, but not divisible by 4, then there is automatically a
mirror plane perpendicular to the rotoinversion axis
Rotoinversions vs. Rotary reflections
Picture Credits
If not otherwise stated pictures, images, sketches, clip arts are
self-taken/self-drawn or
public domain
eldadcarin - Fotolia.com
The Fascination of Crystals and Symmetry
Unit 3.4
Rotoinversions vs. Rotary reflections
Schoenflies vs. Hermann-Mauguin
World of molecules World of crystals
Symmetry notation system according to
Artur Moritz Schoenflies
Symmetry notation system according to
Carl Hermann und Charles-Victor Mauguin
Schoenflies symbolism Hermann-Mauguin symbolism
Rotoinversions vs. Rotary reflections
Schoenflies Hermann-Mauguin
Symmetry elements of macroscopic objects
Identity
Mirror plane
Axis of rotation
Center of inversion
Rotoinversion axis
Identity
Mirror plane
Axis of rotation
Center of inversion
Rotation-reflection axis
(Improper axis of rotation)
E 1
m

C
n
n
i
1
S
n
n
Rotoinversions vs. Rotary reflections
90
i
Rotoinversion
4

h
90
Rotary reflection
S
4
rotation-reflection axis
rotoinversion axis
improper axis of rotation
Rotoinversions vs. Rotary reflections
3 S
6
Rotoinversions vs. Rotary reflections
3 S
6
Assignment
Try to determine the order of
(a) the rotoinversion and
(b) the rotary reflection of
these two arrangements of locomotives!
The Fascination of Crystals and Symmetry
Unit 3.5
Systematization of crystal structures
1. Step: Crystal Systems
metric + symmetry of the UC
7
2. Step: Bravais lattices
primitive + centered
14
3. Step: Crystal classes
crystallographic PG
32
Crystal Classes
everyday objects can have any symmetry, and
symmetry elements can be combined, in principle,
arbitrarily
the symmetry of crystals i.e. the symmetry of the external
shape of crystals is limited
they can be classified into 32 classes only
the symmetry has to be compatible with the repeating
pattern of the crystal lattice
infinite number of symmetry classes 32 symmetry classes (point groups)
see later
Classify Crystals into Classes
1. What kind of symmetry elements (not operations) does the outer shape crystal sample possess?
4. You will see that the crystal classes can be categorized according to
the crystal systems (or crystal families, see below).
Recipe
2. Write down only those SE, which are unique (i.e. a SE that exists by
itself and is not created by other SE)!
3. Crystals that have the same SE belong to the same crystal class!
Classify Crystals into Classes
1
st
Example
no m
no n
i
b
a
c
1
crystal class
pinacoidal
microcline (potassium feldspar),
turquoise, and wollastonite
plagioclase
Classify Crystals into Classes
2
nd
Example
Classify Crystals into Classes
2
nd
Example
one m
one 2 perpendicular to m
http://webmineral.com/data/Gypsum.shtml
2
m
perpendicular to
speak: 2 over m
m
2
m
2
2/m
crystal class
Classify Crystals into Classes
2
nd
Example
http://webmineral.com/data/Gypsum.shtml
2
m
perpendicular to
speak: 2 over m
2/m
there is also a center of inversion,
however this is not a unique SE
it is automatically generated by 2/m!
i
crystal class
one m
one 2 perpendicular to m
Classify Crystals into Classes
2
nd
Example
one m
one 2 perpendicular to m
http://webmineral.com/data/Gypsum.shtml
azurite, chlorite, clinopyroxene,
epidote, malachite, kaolinite,
orthoclase, and talc
CaSO
4
2 H
2
O
prismatic
2
m
perpendicular to
speak: 2 over m
Gypsum
2/m
crystal class
Classify Crystals into Classes
one m
one 2 perpendicular to m
http://webmineral.com/data/Gypsum.shtml
prismatic
2
m
perpendicular to
speak: 2 over m
2
nd
Example
azurite, chlorite, clinopyroxene,
epidote, malachite, kaolinite,
orthoclase, and talc
2/m
crystal class
Fe
3
(PO
4
)
2
8 H
2
O
Vivianite
Picture Credits
If not otherwise stated pictures, images, sketches, clip arts are
self-taken/self-drawn or
public domain
Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com CC-BY-SA-3.0 Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com CC-BY-SA-3.0 alephcomo1 - Fotolia.com by-studio - Fotolia.com
The Fascination of Crystals and Symmetry
Unit 3.6
Classify Crystals into Classes
3
rd
Example
a
b
c
Classify Crystals into Classes
3
rd
Example
a
b
c
Introducing viewing directions, here a b c
Classify Crystals into Classes
m
3
rd
Example
a
b
c
Classify Crystals into Classes
Struvite
MgNH
4
PO
4
6 H
2
O
m
m
2 m m2 crystal class
3
rd
Example
(ortho)rhombic-pyramidal
a
b
c
2 m m symmetry elements
by convention
http://webmineral.com/data/Struvite.shtml
a b c
Classify Crystals into Classes
Zn
4
Si
2
O
7
(OH)
2
H
2
O
m
m
2 mm2 crystal class
3
rd
Example
Hemimorphite
a
b
c
(ortho)rhombic-pyramidal
Classify Crystals into Classes
4
th
Example
a
b
c
120
6
viewing directions
(hexagonal crystal system)
c a
6
[210]
Classify Crystals into Classes
4
th
Example
a
b
c
120
6
m
m
viewing directions
(hexagonal crystal system)
c a [210]
6
m
m
Classify Crystals into Classes
4
th
Example
a
b
c
120
6
m
viewing directions
(hexagonal crystal system)
c a [210]
6
m
m m
Classify Crystals into Classes
4
th
Example
a
b
c
120
(Mg, Graphite, Nickeline)
CuS
Covellite
6/mmm crystal class
dihexagonal-dipyramidal
Crystal Classes A collectible
2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
Collectible
2014 International Year of Crystallography
Collectible
Crystal Classes Poster
Crystal Classes Poster
Crystal Classes Poster
Mapping Crystal Classes to Crystal Systems/Crystal Families
crystal system
triclinic
orthorhombic
trigonal
monoclinic
tetragonal
hexagonal
cubic
crystal classes (point groups)
1, 1
2, m, 2/m
222, mm2, 2/m 2/m 2/m
4, 4, 4/m, 422, 4mm, 42m, 4/m 2/m 2/m
3, 3, 32, 3m, 32/m
6, 6, 6/m, 622, 6mm, 6m2, 6/m 2/m 2/m
23, 2/m3, 432, 43m, 4/m 3 2/m
charact. SE
1 or 1
one 2 and/or m
three 2 and/or m
one 4 or 4
one 6 or 6
one 3 or 3
four 3 or 3
hexagonal crystal family
Picture Credits
If not otherwise stated pictures, images, sketches, clip arts are
self-taken/self-drawn or
public domain
McArthurGlen Designer Outlets | Flickr | CC-BY-SA-2.0
Didier Descouenss | CC-BY-SA-3.0
Walter Klle | CC-BY-SA-3.0
Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com CC-BY-SA-3.0
with kind permission by
the PANINI group
The Fascination of Crystals and Symmetry
Unit 3.7
Translational symmetry elements and Wallpaper groups
1. Translations
2. Glide planes / Glide axes
3. Screw axes
Symmetric Patterns in 2D Plane groups
Translational Symmetry
There are three symmetry elements, which have a translational component
1. Translation (in units of whole unit cells along the lattice vectors)
translation
repeating unit (unit cell)
mirror plane
m
translation
repeating unit (unit cell)
Glide planes/lines
glide line
(a) reflection at a plane / line
(b) translation (usually by
1
/
2
of the unit cell)
g
glide reflection
Glide planes/lines
(a) reflection at a plane / line
(b) translation (usually by
1
/
2
of the unit cell)
g
glide reflection
translation
reflection
Glide planes/lines
(a) reflection at a plane / line
(b) translation (usually by
1
/
2
of the unit cell)
g
glide reflection
translation
reflection
There are three symmetry elements, which have a translational component
1. Translations (in units of whole unit cells along the lattice vectors)
2. Glide planes / glide axes
3. Screw axes
Kaiser's spotted newt
Repeating Patterns in the Plane
Translation
Rotation
Reflection
Glide
With the help of these symmetry
operations every conceivable
repeating pattern in the plane can
be generated and characterized.
wallpapers
textile patterns
tilings
pavements
gift wrap papers
Escher drawings

M.C. Escher
Unicorn (No. 78)
1950 Colored pencil, watercolor.
Lizard / Fish / Bat (No. 85)
1952 Ink, pencil, watercolor.
All M.C. Escher works 2014 The M.C. Escher Company - the Netherlands. All rights reserved. Used by permission. www.mcescher.com
Repeating Patterns in the Plane
Translation
Rotation
Reflection
Glide
With the help of these symmetry
operations every conceivable
repeating pattern in the plane can
be generated and characterized.
wallpapers
textile patterns
tilings
pavements
gift wrap papers
Escher drawings

Bravais lattices
primitive + centered
5
Plane groups
complete plane symmetry
17
Bravais Lattices in 2D and Plane Symmetry Groups
The 5 Bravais lattices of the plane
oblique
p
rectangular
p
square
p
centered rectangular
c
hexagonal
p
90
90 90
120
a = b
a = b
Notation of Plane groups
Notation of Wallpaper groups
plus two symbols indicating mirrors (m), glides (g)
perpendicular to a) the x-axis and b) the y-axis
p2mg
symmetry elements
Bravais type
2-fold axis of rotation
mirror plane
glide plane
in full notation always 4 symbols
begins with p or c according to the Bravais lattice type
followed by the digit n indicating the rotational
symmetry order
if there are no such operators a (1)
is denoted
Full and Short Notation of Wallpaper groups
Full
p111 p211 p311 p3m1 p1m1 p1g1 c1m1 p2mm p2mg p2gg c2mm p411
p4g
p4gm p611 p6mm
Short
p1 pm pg cm p2 pmm pmg pgg cmm p3 p3m1
p31m
p31m p4
p4mm
p4m p6 p6m
p2mg
the short notation drops digits n or a mthat
can be deduced, so long as that leaves no
confusion with another plane group
Notation of Plane groups
Optional assignment: Overlay this pattern
with the unit cell and the respective
graphical symbols of the symmetry elements
at their correct positions within this pattern!
Picture Credits
If not otherwise stated pictures, images, sketches, clip arts are
self-taken/self-drawn or
public domain
with kind permission by
Dr. Richard Bartlett , all rights reserved.
All M.C. Escher works 2014 The M.C. Escher Company - the Netherlands.
All rights reserved. Used by permission. www.mcescher.com
The Fascination of Crystals and Symmetry
Unit 3.8
Summary and Outlook
Space Symmetry (3D) Plane Symmetry (2D)
Translation
Inversion (point mirroring)
Rotation
-
Reflection
Glide (reflect, then translate, 2D)
5 Bravais lattices
Translation
Inversion (point mirroring)
Rotation
Roto-Inversion (rotate, then invert)
Reflection
Glide (reflect, then translate, 3D)
Screw (rotate, then translate)
230 space groups
32 crystal classes
14 Bravais lattices
17 plane groups
Point Symmetry (3D)
-
Inversion (point mirroring)
Rotation
Roto-Inversion (rotate, then invert)
Reflection
-
-
32 crystal classes
Tim White Beauty, Form & Function: An Exploration of Symmetry
A course on Coursera Feb 17
th
to Apr 14
th
Algorithm to determine the plane symmetry group
Brian Sanderson's Pattern Recognition Algorithm:
http://www.math.toronto.edu/~drorbn/Gallery/Symmetry/Tilings/Sanderson/index.html
Is the maximum rotation order 1,2,3,4 or 6?
Is there a mirror (m)?
Is there an indecomposable glide reflection (g)?
Is there a rotation axis on a mirror?
Is there a rotation axis not on a mirror?
Web and other Tools regarding plane groups
http://www.scienceu.com/geometry/handson/kali/ http://escher.epfl.ch/escher/
http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/
symmetry-artist.html
Web and other Tools regarding plane groups
http://imaginary.org/program/morenaments/applet http://weavesilk.com/
The Great Pattern Collection
http://www.thegreatpatterncollection.com/
Photo Contest Crystallography in Everyday Life
http://www.iycr2014.org/participate/photo-competition
crystalmooc
Crystal Classes
and their Hermann-Mauguin symbols
organized by their crystal systems

triclinic
pedial
1 1 triclinic
pinacoidal
2
monoclinic
sphenoidal
m
monoclinic
domatc
2/m
monoclinic
prismatc
222
orthorhombic
sphenoidal
mm2 orthorhombic
pyramidal
mmm orthorhombic
dipyramidal
4
tetragonal
pyramidal
4 tetragonal
disphenoidal
4/m
tetragonal
dipyramidal
422 tetragonal
trapezoidal
4mm ditetragonal
pyramidal
4m2
tetragonal
scalenoidal
4/mmm
ditetragonal
dipyramidal
triclinic
monoclinic
orthorhombic
tetragonal
3
trigonal
pyramidal
3 rhombohedral


321 trigonal
trapezoidal
3m1 ditrigonal
pyramidal
3m1
ditrigonal
scalahedral
6
hexagonal
pyramidal
6
trigonal
dipyramidal
6/m
hexagonal
dipyramidal
622
hexagonal
trapezoidal
6mm
dihexagonal
pyramidal
6m2
ditrigonal
dipyramidal
6/mmm
dihexagonal
dipyramidal
23
tetrahedral


43m hextetrahedral


m3
diploidal 432 gyroidal hexoctahedral
hexagonal
trigonal
cubic

m3m
_
_
_ _ _
_
_
_
_
_