Solid State Physics Homework No.

1st Task We examine all allowed lattice-symmetries for n-fold rotation-axes, which means, with a rotation angle phi=2pi/n. Which values are possible for n? For that look at the four lattice points A, B, C and D at the plane orthogonal to n-fold rotation axis. A and B are given to be adjacent neighboring points in the Bravais-lattice with the distance a through both of which, should go an n-fold rotation axis. The rotation around B should bring A to C and the rotation around A should bring B to D. Show that the geometric qualities of the grid allow only n=1,2,3,4 and 6. Tip: Make a sketch. Which conditions do the sides of the resulting trapezoid have to fulfill if A, B, C and D are lattice points?

2nd Task Reciprocal-lattice The lattice-vectors of the reciprocal lattice can be calculated out of the relations: (see original German document, describing g1, g2, and g3 vectors) Where a1 a2 and a3 are the lattice vectors of the original 3-dimensional lattice. a) Show that the vectors g_i fulfil the conditions g_i . a_l = 2*pi*delta_i_l b) Prove that the reciprocal-lattice of the reciprocal-lattice is again the original lattice (show the complete equality). c) Show that the vectors of the reciprocal lattice fulfil the following relation: (see German original) How should one interpret this expression? Tip: Show and use for the proof in b the expression exp(iG.R)=1, where R is a lattice-vector in the direct room and G is the attice-vector in the reciprocal room.

3rd Task Point-Symmetries Enumerate all axes and planes of symmetry for the hexagonal unity-cell (see figure) of the hexagonal lattice and sketch them in the figure. Do the edges of the hexagonal lattice in the plane form a Bravais-lattice? Make sure you understand that the primitive unity-cell of the hexagonal lattice is not hexagonal.