Introduction and symmetries -2 lectures

Classifications of solids:

Crystalline

Poly crystalline

Amorphous

THE subject first focuses on crystalline solids and their properties as they are most abundant in nature.

The periodic arrangement of atoms/molecule and their interaction gives properties which are different from
individual atoms.

1. Crystal structure and symmetries

2. Elastic and thermal properties

3. Dielectric(insulators), how they affect the electrical/electronic properties

4. Ferroelectrics

5. Solids with magnetic properties

6. Superconductivity

The laws of physics are invariant under space and time. This statement of Einstein to a laymen would mean that the
laws or equations of physics remain same everywhere and can be used to explain various phenomenon with the help
of the same basic principles. The origin of this invariance is the underlying symmetry of all matter forms. The ways in
which the basic building blocks of matter can be arranged to form a solid is limited to a very small number. All solid
matter can be conveniently divided into a few basic structural forms. This geometric symmetry of form, position and
structure leads to same laws and equations being able to explain the observed effects in almost all solids. This way
all solids may be classified into a few groups and within each group similar variation in properties are observed with
temperature, magnetic and electric field, optical illumination and frequency.

Our attempt to master the physics of solids should then start with understanding the underlying structural forms of
solids and being able to classify them into groups. The aim of this chapter would be to explain symmetry operations
and then compartmentalise the solids into what are called point groups and space groups.

SYMMETRY

A body is said to possess symmetry under certain operation being performed on it. So, if the body remains invariant
ie, looks exactly same, as it did before the operation was performed, it is said to possess symmetry under that
operation. Otherwise stated, an operation is said to be symmetric if a body looks exactly the same after the
operation as it did before. The symmetry operations can be classified in to two groups, a) point symmetry which
includes reflection symmetry, rotation symmetry and inversion symmetry and b) translation symmetry. Point
symmetry is named thus as there would always exist a point about which the said operation has to be performed.
This would be explained further in due course after discussing the various point symmetries. Translation symmetry
as the name suggests means invariance under translator motion ie, the body would remain unchanged when moved
in a linearly from some point A to B.

1. Point Symmetry
a) Reflection Symmetry
b) Inversion Symmetry
c) Rotation Symmetry
2. Translation Symmetry (periodicity)

Reflection Symmetry:-one half of the object is mirror reflection of the second half

1-D:centre of symmetry

2-D:axis of symmetry

3-D:plane of reflection symmetry: A cube has 9 planes of reflection symmetry

Enantiomorphism: plane of reflection symmetry lies outside the body (in a pair)
 Inversion Symmetry

A body is said to have an inversion symmetry wrt to a point within itself when it is inverted wrt that point and yet
remains invariant. (x,y,z) become (-x,-y,-z)

1-D:point of inversion=centre of reflection symmetry

2-D:point of inversion=1800 rotation about body centre (H,I)

3-D:lines can be drawn from all points on the object through a point in the body such that on the other side of the
point equidistant a similar point could be found.
 Rotation Symmetry

If an object coincides with itself n times when rotated about an axis through it by 2π, it is said to possess n-fold
rotational symmetry. (n fold axis)

1-D pencil will have one axis with 2 fold symmetry

2D:

3D: Cube: If a position of congruence occurs after every 180 degrees of rotation, the axis is said to be a diad or two-
fold symmetry axis. Other axes may be called triad, tetrad or hexad (three-fold, four-fold, or six-fold) axes depending on
whether congruence is attained every 120, 90, or 60 degrees respectively.

Combination of Symmetries

Rotoreflection or mirror reflection (paper folding)

Rotoinversion (you tube-Frank Hauffman)

helical or screw symmetry: rotation+translation (in plants)

Point Group Symmetry: A given object or group can thus show a number of individual symmetry elements along
with combination symmetries. The complete symmetry displayed by an isolated object or group of objects, is called
its point group, there being at least one point being common to all the symmetry elements.

Space Group Symmetry: When symmetries of point group are combined with translational symmetry, we obtain
space group symmetry.

So, if we combine periodicity with any one of the point group we get only 14 independent lattice types.

Crystal Structure-2 lectures

Translational symmetry, arrangement of constituent units, direction dependence

Lattice

A network of points in space as a representation of the crystal structure forming a grid is called lattice and these
points are called lattice points.

When an atom or a group of atoms called basis is attached to each lattice point, we get a crystal.
Unit Cell: A unit which repeats itself in 3D to produce the entire body of the crystal. A unit cell can be any size, shape
or complexity as long as it is a repetitive unit.

Coordinate system

Lattice constants: basis vectors and angles between them

Lattice vector or position vector

Primitive unit cell: minimum area unit cell. A primitive unit cell must have only one lattice point per unit. All
primitive unit cells have same area. There may be more than one primitive unit cell of a given structure. All the rest,
larger area unit cells are called non primitive unit cells.

Area of a non primitive unit cell is an integral multiple of the area of a primitive unit cell

Bravais lattice : Bravais lattice specifies the geometry of the underlying periodic array in which the units in a crystal
are arranged. The may be simply an atom or a complex group. When all the arrangements as well as the orientations
look exactly the same about any lattice point, it is a Bravais Lattice.e.g. square lattice or simple cubic. Vertices ofa
honey comb do not form Bravais lattice.

Coordination number :Each point in a Bravais lattice has the same number of nearest neighbours and this is the
coordination number.

WIGNER SEITZ unit cell: It is the region of space that is closest to that point as compared to any other lattice point.