M.Sc.

Physics 1st Semester

Solid State Physics-I (605)

Chapter # 1

Crystal Structure and Inter-Atomic Forces

Lecture # 3

Dated 15-06-2020
 Contents
• Symmetry
• Symmetry operation
• Element of symmetry
• Translational symmetry
• Refection symmetry
• Inversion symmetry
• Rotational symmetry
 Symmetry
• Symmetry means agreement in dimensions due to proportional
arrangement.
• Regularity or uniformity in structure.
• Invariant (unchanged to any or various transformations).
• The most obvious feature of the crystal is symmetry. In crystal
symmetries involving translation, rotation, reflection and
inversion are found to occur.
• The basis of classification of crystals is the symmetry exhibited
by them.

Do visit the links below for more visual explanation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFzktJNmnPU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtqtIiJsfiE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4tS-ZmpJfw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW0kDNHS6lo
 Symmetry Operation
A symmetry operation is that which transforms the crystals to itself i.e. crystal
remains invariant under a symmetry operation. Symmetry operation is a
transformation performed on a body which leaves it unchanged. Imagine an
observer placed inside a crystal. He is asked to close his eyes and then an
operation is performed on the crystal. If observer opens his eyes after the
operation is completed and does not find any change in his surroundings performed
operation will be termed as symmetry operation. If a body attains its initial
configuration after undergoing a particular operation, it is said to possess a
symmetry corresponding to that operation. For example consider rotating a book
by 360o about an axis passing through its center and perpendicular to its plane.
After this rotation, the book will assume its initially position. For an observer who
is unaware of the rotation of the book it will appear as if book has not been
subjected to any operation.
A symmetry operation may be thus be defined as one which leaves the crystal
environment invariant.
Following are the symmetry operations
1. Translation operation
2. Reflection
3. Rotation
4. Inversion
Symmetry operations performed about a point or line are called point group
symmetry and symmetry operations performed by translation as well are termed
space group symmetry.
 Element of Symmetry
A geometrical locus (line, plane, point) about which group of finite symmetry operation
act is called element of symmetry. In the example given in previous slide the axis
about which the book is rotated is known as element of symmetry. The symmetry
operation performed about a point and line constitute(exhibit) point group element
and symmetry operations performed by combination of rotation and translation
constitute (exhibit) space group elements. Following are the symmetry elements
exhibited by crystals

1. Translational operator T (applies only to lattice)

2. Point group elements
Which are
1. Line or plane of reflection (mirror plane)
2. Axis of rotation
3. Center of inversion
 Translational Symmetry
The translational symmetry follows from the orderly arrangement
of lattice. It means that a lattice point r1 under translational
operation T gives another point r2 which is identical to r1. After
translation operation T the atomic arrangement in the crystal
appears exactly the same to an observer at r2 as to an observer at
r1.
 Reflection Symmetry
A body is said to posses reflection symmetry if it is left unchanged in
every way after being reflected in the plane. A body is said to possess
the reflection symmetry if a plane can be drawn in the body so as to
bisect it in such a way that one half of it is the mirror image of the
other half. In other words if we fold the body about the plane of
symmetry the two parts coincide. Such a coincidence can be brought
about only by mirror plane. This plane is known as plane of symmetry
denoted by m.

Example of two mirror planes in 2D crystal

 Inversion Symmetry
A crystal structure possess an inversion symmetry if for every lattice points
given by position r there are corresponding lattice points at the inversion –r.
Inversion is symmetry operation similar to reflection with only difference that
reflection occurs in plane while the inversion is reflection occurs through a
point. This point is known as center of inversion denoted by 1

Harmann and Mauguin nomencluture


1
 Rotational Symmetry
A body is said to possess rotational symmetry about an axis if its rotation
about this axis by some angle θ leaves the body invariant i.e. the body
appears to an observer as it did prior to rotation. It obvious that if a body
rotates about an excess by an angle 2𝝿 it assumes its original position and
orientation. An object is said to possess n fold rotational axis if it attains its
original shape or orientation n times during a course of 2𝝿 rotation about this
axis. Then we say that this object is invariant under the rotation of angle θ.

𝑛𝜃 = 2𝜋
2𝜋
𝑛=
𝜃
If n=1 then body/crystal must be rotated through 360 to achieve
congruence. Such an axis is termed as identity axis and every crystal
possess infinite number of such axis.
For n= 2 180o rotation for congruence this axis is called diad ⧫
For n=3 120o rotation for congruence this axis is called triad ▲
For n=4 90o rotation for congruence this axis is called tetrad ◼

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4tS-ZmpJfw
Symmetry Elements of Cube
 Permissible Rotational Symmetry Element in Crystal

Consider a lattice with periodicity t and place an n fold rotational axis at each lattice
point perpendicular to plane of paper. As rotation by amount θ causes superposition
it does not matter whether the rotation is clockwise or anticlockwise. Starting with
linear array rotate lattice clockwise about axis passing from P and anticlockwise
about axis passing from Q. By construction the two new points P’ and Q’ must be
lattice points and line P’Q’ must be parallel to the array and some equal to some
integral multiple of t.
 Permissible Rotational Symmetry Element in Crystal.

𝑚𝑡 = 𝑡 + 2𝑡cos𝜃 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑚 = 0, ±1, ±2, ±3, . . . . . .

𝑚 = 1 + 2cos𝜃
𝑚−1
cos𝜃 =
2
𝑁
cos𝜃 =
2
−1 ≤ cos𝜃 ≤ +1
−2 ≤ 𝑁 ≤ +2

N can therefore have only five values and only five kind of axes are compatible
with lattice i.e. n can be 1,2,3,4 and 6.
 Symmetry

Square rectangle triangle and hexagon completely fill the space without leaving
the space. Whereas pentagon leaves empty spaces.
Symmetry
The End