Mining Engineering Department,
PNG University of Technology
Serving the png mining industry
WEEK 5 LECTURE 1
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
MP236 Economic Geology and Mineralogy
Crystallography
Crystallography is the study of crystals and
the crystalline state. In crystalline
substances, atoms or groups of atoms are
arranged in a regular three
dimensional pattern called a crystal lattice.
CRYSTALS
A crystal is a regular polyhedron bounded
by planes called crystal faces
© Hubbard Scientific 1985
NaCl Crystal Lattice
Na and Cl ions are in 6-fold co-ordination
0.1nm
Na Cl
Interfacial Angle
The interfacial angle is the angle between
perpendiculars to crystal faces
Interfacial
q angle
Crystal Symmetry
The symmetry of crystals may be described
in terms of three distinct symmetry elements:
(1) Axes of symmetry
(2) Planes of symmetry
(3) Centre of symmetry
Degrees of Rotational Axes
If a crystal face type is repeated after a
rotation of 360°/n, then n is said to constitute
the degree of the axis
n=1 identity axis
n=2 diad
n=3 triad
n=4 tetrad
n=6 hexad
Rotational Axes - Tetragonal Prism
Four-fold axis
Two-fold axes
Notation:
1A4 4A2
Locating Rotational Axes
(1) Rotational axes of symmetry always pass
through the centre of crystals
(2) To locate imagine that they pass through:
(a) the centres of opposite faces
(b) the centres of opposite edges
(c) opposite corners
(3) Orient axis vertically
Planes of Symmetry
m2
m3 m4
m1
Tetragonal Planes of Symmetry
2
1
4
5
notation - 5m
Mirror Planes
m1
m
m2
?
CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC AXES
Intersect at a common point within the crystal and are arranged
in three separate directions:
a1, a2, a3: if the crystal has equal dimensions parallel to each of
the axes
a1, a2, c: two similar axes, (c is always the vertical axis parallel to
the major symmetry axis if one exists)
a,b,c: if the crystal dimensions are dissimilar along all axes
a for the horizontal axis pointing toward the observer
b for the horizontal axis at right angles to ‘a’
c for the vertical axis
Cubic (Isometric) System
+a1
Three mutually
- a3 + a3
perpendicular axes
+ a2 a1 = a 2 = a 3
- a1
Tetragonal System
+c
- a1
Three mutually
perpendicular
- a2
axes, of which two
+ a2 have similar
+ a1 dimensions
Hexagonal and Trigonal
Systems
+c
- a1 - a2
- a3 + a3 Angles between a , a and
1 2
a3 axes = 120°
+ a2 +a1
-c
Orthorhombic System
+c
Three mutually
-b +b perpendicular axes
c>b>a
+a
-c
Monoclinic System
+c
-a
a = 90°
b g = 90°
-b +b
b < 90°
a<b<c
+a
-c
Triclinic System
+c
-a
-b
b
a a < b < g < 90°
g a<b<c
+b
+a
-c
Sequence in Crystal Description
1. Determine symmetry elements
2. Classify crystal in crystal system
3. Assign crystallographic axes
4. Sketch the crystal
Sketching Crystals
1. C-axis should be vertical in
page +c
2. Do not make crystals
transparent -b
3. Do not show axes inside crystal
+a +b
4. Sketch crystal with + a axis
tilted slightly to left
5. Note axes are labelled in an -c
anti-clockwise direction from + a
MILLER INDICES
Are a system of labeling crystal faces based on
the intersection of that face with
crystallographic axes
A face intersecting all axes is known as a
parametral plane
Any other plane or face within the crystal can
be referenced to the parametral plane
Reciprocals used to include parallel faces
Miller Indices - Two Dimensions
a b Intercepts Millers indices
Face P x y 1,1 (11)
Face Q 1/ 2x 1/ 3y 1/ 2, 1/ 3 (23)
Face R 1/ 2x -3/ 2x 1/ 2, -3/ 2 (2-2/ 3) = (62) = (31)
-b -y +y +b
R Q
S x
P
+a
Miller Indices - Three Dimensions
c
P Q
b
a
a b c Indices
Face P 1 1 1 (111)
Face Q 2 3 1 (1/2,1/3,1) = (326)
Describing a Crystal
1. Determine symmetry (rotational axes, planes of
symmetry, centre of symmetry): crystal system
2. Assign crystallographic axes
3. Index crystal (describe orientation of faces with
respect to crystallographic axes)
(i) Select a face that cuts all three
crystallographic axes, the parametral plane (111)
(ii) Express intercepts of other faces in terms
of parametral intercepts
(iii) Determine Miller indices
DEFINE PARAMETRAL PLANE
c
P
The parametral plane
has been defined by face P
x y b
a
DEFINE PARAMETRAL INTERCEPTS C-B
+c
z
B
+b
y
Define Parametral Intercepts c-a
c
A
a
x
DEFINE NEW FACES
a
a b
Face A intercepts m n
Face B intercepts r s
A
r m B
b
s
n
SUMMARY
A crystal is a solid defined by characteristic
symmetry, unit cell dimensions and
crystallographic axes
Seven crystal systems have been defined
A crystal can uniquely be described from its
symmetry elements and the intersection of
crystal faces with crystallographic axes
These intersections are related to a
parametral plane to define Miller Indices