Lecture 10
Crystal Systems and Bravais Lattices
In last lecture difference between primitive and non-primitive cell was discussed
along with type of primitive cells. Now in this formation of unit cell will be
explained.
For representing the type of distribution of lattice points in space, seven different
co-ordinate systems are required. These co-ordinate systems are called crystal
systems. The crystal systems are named on the basis of geometrical shape and
symmetry. The seven crystal systems are: (1) Cubic (2) Tetragonal (3)
Orthorhombic (4) Monoclinic (5) Triclinic (6) Trigonal (or Rhombohedral) and (7)
Hexagonal.
Bravais Lattice
In a solid crystalline material, the atoms or molecules are arranged regularly and
periodically in all three dimensions. The atomic arrangement in a crystal is called
crystal structure. To explain crystal symmetries easily, it is convenient to represent
an atom or a group of atoms that repeats in three dimensions in the crystal as a
unit. If each such atom or unit of atoms in a crystal is replaced by a point in space,
then the resultant points in space are called space lattice. Each point in a space
lattice is called a lattice point and each atom or unit of atoms is called basis or
pattern. A space lattice represents the geometrical pattern of crystal in which the
surroundings of each lattice point is the same. If the surroundings of each lattice
point is same or if the atom or all the atoms at lattice points are identical, then such
a lattice is called Bravais lattice. On the other hand, if the atom or the atoms at
lattice points are not same, then it is said to be a non-Bravais lattice.
Space lattices are classified according to their symmetry. In 1948, Bravais showed
that 14 lattices are sufficient to describe all crystals. These 14 lattices are known as
Bravais lattices and are classified into 7 crystal systems based on cell parameters.
The Bravais lattices are categorized as primitive lattice (P); body-centered lattice
(I); face-centered lattice (F) and base-centered lattice (C).
These seven crystal systems and Bravais lattices are described below.
1. Cubic crystal system: In this crystal system, all the unit cell edge lengths are
equal and are at right angles to one another i.e., a = b = c and α = β = γ = 90°. In
cubic system, there are three Bravais lattices; they are simple (primitive); body-
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centered and face-centered as shown in Figure 1. Examples for cubic system are
Au, Cu, Ag, NaCl, diamond, etc. In simple cubic lattice, lattice points or atoms are
present at the corners of the cube. In body-centered cube, atoms are present at the
corners and one atom is completely present at the center of the cube. In the case of
face-centered cube, atoms are present at corners and at the centers of all faces of
cube.
Figure 1 (a) Simple Cube (b) Body Centered Cube (c) Face Centered Cube
[Link] crystal system:
In this crystal system, two lengths of the unit cell edges are equal whereas the third
length is different. The three edges are perpendicular to one another i.e., a = b ≠ c
and α = β = γ = 90°. In tetragonal system, there are two Bravais lattices; they are
simple and body-centered. These are shown in Fig. 2. Examples for tetragonal
crystal systems are TiO 2 , SnO 2 , etc.
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Figure 2 Tetragonal System
[Link] crystal system:
In this crystal system, unit cell edge lengths are different and they are
perpendicular to one another i.e., a ≠ b ≠ c and α = β = γ = 90°. There are four
Bravais lattices in this system. They are simple, face centered, body centered and
base centered. These are shown in Fig. 3. Examples for orthorhombic crystal
system are BaSO 4 , K 2 SO 4 , SnSO 4 , etc.
Figure 3 Orthorhombic crystal system
[Link] crystal system:
In this crystal system, the unit cell edge lengths are different. Two unit cell edges
are not perpendicular, but they are perpendicular to the third edge i.e.,a ≠ b ≠ c; α =
γ = 90° ≠ β. This crystal system has two Bravais lattices; they are simple and base
centered. These are shown in Fig. 4. Examples for Monoclinic crystal system are
CaSO4 .2H 2 O (gypsum), Na3AlF 6 (cryolite), etc.
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Figure 4. Monoclinic crystal system
5. Triclinic crystal system:
In this crystal system, the unit cell edge lengths are different and are not
perpendicular i.e., a ≠ b ≠ c and α ≠ β ≠ γ ≠ 90° and all the angles are different.
This crystal exists in primitive cell only. This is shown in Fig. 1.10. Examples for
triclinic crystal system are K 2 Cr 2 O 7 , CuSO4. 5H2O, etc.
Figure 5 Triclinic Crystal System
[Link] or Rhombohedral crystal system:
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In this crystal system, all the lengths of unit cell edges are equal. The angles
between the axes are equal but other than 90° i.e., a = b = c and α = β = γ ≠ 90°.
The Bravais lattice is simple only as shown in Fig. 6. Examples for Rhombohedral
crystal system are As, Bi, Sb, etc.
Figure 6 Trigonal or Rhombohedral crystal system
[Link] crystal system:
In this crystal system, two sides of the unit cell edge lengths are equal and the
angle between these edges is 120°. These two edges are perpendicular to the third
edge, and not equal in length i.e., a = b ≠ c and α = β = 90°; γ = 120°. The Bravais
lattice is primitive only. This is shown in Fig. 7. The atoms in this crystal system
are arranged in the form of a hexagonal close pack.
Figure 7 Hexagonal Crystal System
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The table 1 given below can be used to summarize types of lattice formation.
Angles between
Lattice Types Edge Length Examples
faces
Primitive, Body-
NaCl, Copper and
Cubic centred, Face- a=b=c α = β = γ = 90°
ZnS
centred
Primitive, Body- White tin, SnO2, TiO2
Tetragonal a=b≠c α = β = γ = 90°
centred and CaSO4
Primitive, Body-
centred, Face- Rhombic Sulphur,
Orthorhombic a≠b≠c α = β = γ = 90°
centred , End- BaSO4 and KNO3
centred
α = β = 90° and γ Graphite, ZnO and
Hexagonal Primitive a=b≠c
= 120° CdS
CaCO3 ( Calcite) and
Rhombohedral Primitive a=b=c α = β = γ ≠ 90°
HgS (cinnabar)
Primitive, End- α = γ = 90° β ≠
Monoclinic a≠b≠c Sulphur
centred 90°
Triclinic Primitive a≠b≠c α ≠ β ≠ γ ≠ 900 H3PO3 , CuSO4.5 H2O
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Table 2: Seven Crystal systems and Fourteen Bravais Lattices