Chapter 3 -

Hexagonal Crystals
In the three-axis coordinate system, a problem arises for
hexagonal crystals in that some crystallographic equivalent
directions will not have the same set of indices. Hence, a four-axis
(Miller-Bravais) coordinate system is used.
Three-axis
Four-axis
Chapter 3 - 2
HCP Crystallographic Directions
1. Vector repositioned (if necessary) to pass
through origin.
2. Read off projections in terms of unit
cell dimensions a
1
, a
2
, a
3
, or c
3. Adjust to smallest integer values
4. Enclose in square brackets, no commas

[uvtw]
[ 1120 ] ex: , , -1, 0 =>
Adapted from Fig. 3.8(a),
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
dashed red lines indicate
projections onto a
1
and a
2
axes a
1

a
2

a
3

-a
3

2
a
2
2
a
1
-
a
3

a
1

a
2

z
Algorithm
Chapter 3 - 3
HCP Crystallographic Directions
Hexagonal Crystals
4 parameter Miller-Bravais lattice coordinates are
related to the direction indices (i.e., u'v'w') as
follows.
=
=
=
' w w
t
v
u
) v u (
+ -
) ' u ' v 2 (
3
1
-
) ' v ' u 2 (
3
1
- =
] uvtw [ ] ' w ' v ' u [

Fig. 3.8(a), Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
-
a
3

a
1

a
2

z
[010] [110]
Chapter 3 -
Conversion of Directional Indices
4
[111] [112 3]
Chapter 3 -
Directional Indices
5
Determine the Miller-Bravais
directional indices for the
direction shown in green.
Chapter 3 -
3.35 Determine indices for the directions
shown in the following hexagonal unit cells:
6