Understanding Crystallography Basics
Understanding Crystallography Basics
CHAPTER-IV
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
After studying this Unit, you will be able to
Describe general characteristics of solid state;
Distinguish between amorphous and crystalline solids;
Define crystal lattice and unit cell;
Explain close packing of particles;
Calculate the packing efficiency of different types of cubic unit cells;
Correlate the density of a substance with its unit cell properties;
Concept:
There are three states of matter at room temperature viz, solid state, liquid state and
the gaseous state. In solids and liquids the distance between the neighbouring atoms is a
few angstrom units however, in case of gaseous state this distance is of the order of few
tens angstroms units (Å).
1. Solid: Solid is a state of matter in which all the constituent particles (atoms, molecules or
ions) arranged very closely due to intermolecular forces at room temperature.
2. The following are the characteristic properties of the solid state:
(i) They have definite mass, volume and shape.
(ii) Intermolecular distances are short and hence intermolecular forces are strong.
(iii) Their constituent particles (atoms, molecules or ions) have fixed positions and can
only oscillate about their mean positions.
(iv) They are incompressible and rigid.
The structure and physical properties of solid depends on the arrangement of atoms
within it. Based on atomic arrangement, solids may be classified as:
a) Crystalline Solids: In crystalline solids, the arrangement of constituent particles (atoms,
molecules or ions) is ordered forming a three dimensional pattern.
Example: Sodium Chloride, Quartz, Iron, Copper, diamond, Graphite.
There is a specific relation between arrangement of atoms know as order. The order
may be short range of long range. Depending on the order there are two types of crystal.
Crystallography:
It is a branch of science which deals with the study of the geometric form and other
physical properties of solids with the help of X-rays, electrons beam and neutron beam etc.
Lattice point and space lattice:
To study crystal structure, it is convenient to imagine points in space at which atoms
are located.
Lattice:
Lattice is defined as an array of points such that every lattice point has same
environment or every point is distinguishable from the other lattice point. It is an
imaginary concept.
Space Lattice:
The regular three dimensional periodic arrangement of points in a space such that
environment around each point is identical is called “space lattice”.
Where l, m are integers and a and b are the fundamental translation vectors characteristics
of lattice. The relation can be extended to three dimensional lattices and may be expressed
as
T la mb nc
Fig.3 A portion of (a) two dimensional and (b) three dimensional cubic lattice and its unit cell.
The choice of unit cell is not unique. But, it can be constructed into a number of ways
like A1B1C1D1 or A2B2C2D2 without affecting symmetry of the crystal.
Lattice parameters:
Fig.4 shows a unit cell of three dimensional crystal lattice. The unit cell can be completely
described by three vector a , b , c and angles α, , between them. Taking any lattice point
as the origin, all other points on the lattice can be obtained by a repeated operation of the
lattice vector a , b , c .
parameters.
Primitive and Centred Unit Cells:
Unit cells can be broadly divided into two categories, primitive and centred unit cells.
(a) Primitive Unit Cells:
The unit cell which contains lattice points or atoms only at the corners are called as
primitive cell.
Example: Cubic Cell (SC)
(b) Centred Unit Cells or Non-primitive cell:
When a unit cell contains one or more atoms present at positions other than corners in
addition to those at corners, it is called a centred unit cell or non primitive cell. Centred
unit cells are of three types:
(i) Body-Centred Unit Cells (I): Along with primitive arrangement, extra atom is at the
centre of cube in such a unit cell.
(ii) Face-Centred Unit Cells (F): Along with primitive arrangement, extra atom is at the
centre of each face.
(iii) Base centred Unit Cells (C): Along with primitive arrangement, extra atom is at the
centre of top and bottom surface.
Seven Crystal system and Bravais lattice:
Crystals are classified into seven crystal systems on the basis of (i) axial length a,b,c (ii)
interfacial angles α, , and (iii) directions of axis of symmetry.
The seven crystal systems are: (1) cubic, (2) Tetragonal, (3) orthorhombic, (4) Hexagonal,
(5) Rhombohedral, (6) Monoclinic, and (7) Triclinic
Table 1: Seven Primitive Unit Cells and their Possible Variations as Centred Unit Cells
Bravais Lattices:
In 1980 Bravais showed that there are 14 possible types of space lattices in seven
crystal system of crystal. According to Bravais, there are only 14 possible ways of arranging
points in space lattice such that, all lattice points have exactly the same surroundings.
These 14 lattices are called as Bravais lattices. The possible types of Bravais lattices of
seven crystal systems are explained in brief in following section.
(1) Cubic Crystal System:
In cubic crystal system, the three crystal axes (α, , ) are perpendicular to each other
and the axial length (a, b, c) is the same along all three axis as shown in following Fig.
a = b = c, α = = = 90o
Bravais Lattices: In cubic crystal system, the cubic lattices are of three types. They are
(i) Simple cubic (ii) Body centered cubic (BCC) and (iii) Face centered cubic (FCC) as shown
above
(2) Tetragonal Crystal System:
In tetragonal system, the three axes are perpendicular to each other. Two of the three
axial lengths are the same, but the third axial length is different.
a = b ≠ c, α = = = 90o
Bravais Lattices: In Tetragonal crystal system, the cubic lattices are of two types. They are
(i) Simple cubic (ii) Body centered cubic (BCC).
a ≠ b ≠ c, α = = = 90o
Bravais Lattices: In orthorhombic crystal system, the four different types of Bravais lattice
are possible. They are
(i)Simple (ii) Body centered (iii) Face centered and (iv) Base centered cubic.
(4) Monoclinic Crystal System:
In monoclinic crystal system, two of the crystal axes are perpendicular to each other,
but the third is obliquely inclined. The three axial lengths are different along three axes as
shown in following Fig.
Bravais Lattices: In monoclinic crystal system, only two types of Bravais lattice are possible.
They are (i)Simple (ii) Base centered.
a ≠ b ≠ c, α = = 90o ≠
(5) Triclinic Crystal System:
In triclinic crystal system, none of the crystal axes is perpendicular to each other. The
axial lengths are different along three axes as shown in following Fig.
Bravais Lattices: Only one type of Bravais lattice is possible in this triclinic system.
a ≠ b ≠ c, α ≠ ≠ ≠ 90o
(6) Trigonal or Rhombohedral Crystal System:
In Trigonal crystal system, the three axes are inclined to each other at an angle other
than 90o. The three axial lengths are equal along three axes as shown in following Fig.
a ≠ b ≠ c, α = = ≠ 90o
Bravais Lattices: Only one type of Bravais lattice is possible in this Trigonal system.
(7) Hexagonal Crystal System:
In hexagonal crystal system, two of the crystal axes are 90 o apart while the third is
perpendicular to both of them. The axial lengths are the same along the axes that are 90 o
apart, but the axial length along the third axis is different as shown in following Fig.
a = b ≠ c, α = = 90o, =120 o
Bravais Lattices: Only one type of Bravais lattice is possible in hexagonal system.
Fig.6 (a) In a simple cubic unit cell, each corner atom is shared between 8 unit cells, (b)
actual portions of atoms belonging to one unit cell.
(ii) Body Centered Cubic Structure
In addition to the corner atoms, it has one atom at the body centre wholly belongs to the
unit cell in which it is present. Thus in a body-centered cubic (bcc) unit cell:
(i) 8 corners atoms 18 per corner atom = 8 18 = 1 atom
Co-ordination Number=8
4r = 3 a or r 3 a
4
Hence, 4r = 2 a or r 2 a
4
(4) Atomic Packing Fraction
It is defined as the volume of unit cell actually occupied by atoms to the total volume of
unit cell, and it can be represented as,
M A n
Hence mass of n molecules or atoms per unit cell, N
1
A n A n 3
or a
N a N
3
As shown in above example the reciprocal of the numerical intercept values are
111
213
Step III:
Convert these reciprocals into whole numbers by multiplying each with their least
count multiple (LCM). In this example the LCM is 6.
6 1 , 1
6 , 6
1
2 1 3
3 6 2
Step III:
Enclose these numbers in bracket. This represents the indices of the given plane,
and is called the Miller indices of the plane. For example the Miller indices are (362).
It is generally represented by (hkl). It can also be noticed that
1 11
h:k :l
pqr
Similarly,
OD d dk OD d dl
cos cos
OB a / k a and OC a / k a
OD d dh
cos
OA a / h a
Bragg’s Law:
In 1913, two scientist William Henry Bragg and William Lawrence Bragg showed that
constructive interference takes place between the rays scattered by the atoms in different
Bragg’s planes when the condition n=2dsin is obeyed. Where ‘n’ is an integer which
represents the order of reflection. The above condition is known as Bragg’s law. Thus
Bragg’s law is a simple fundamental equation which gives the relation between the
wavelength of X-rays, the interplaner spacing d and the glancing angle (the angle at
which the incident rays make with the plane).
Bragg’s law can be utilized to analyze different types of crystal structures.
Derivation of Bragg’s Law:
Consider a crystal consisting of set of parallel planes (Bragg’s planes) separated by a
distance d. Let a narrow beam of monochromic X-rays of wavelength be incident on the
first plane with glancing angle .
To determine the path difference between the two rays ABC and DEF, two normal’s BP
and BQ are drawn from the point B to the line DE and EF respectively. From the Fig. it is
observed that up to BP the path covered is the same during incidence. From BQ onwards
the parallel rays BC and QF will travel keeping step with each other.
Hence, the excess path travelled by the ray along DEF over that along ABC is given by
PE + EQ
PE EQ
But in the Fig. from PBE sin and from EBQ sin
BE BE
sin + BEsin
Or sin
But BE = d (interplaner spacing)
dsin
The condition for constructive interference to take place if =n, where n=1,2,3,…
n dsin
This equation is called Bragg’s law and is called glancing angle. This relation is similar
to the relation of ordinary plane diffraction grating. For n=1, we get first order spectrum,
for n=2 we get second-order spectrum and so on.
Bragg’s X-Ray Spectrometer:
Construction:
Bragg’s devised apparatus known as X-ray spectrometer in which crystal was used as
reflection grating. X-ray from X-ray tube was allowed to pass through slits S1 and S2 to get
narrow beam. The beam is allowed to strike on a single crystal C mounted on turn-table,
which can rotate about a vertical axis. An arm rotating about the vertical axis carries on
ionization chamber I. The degree of ionization as the intensity of X-ray beam is measured
by electrometer as shown in Fig (a).
Working:
X-rays beam is made to fall on a crystal at different glancing angles. Corresponding
intensities of reflected X-rays beam are noted down by ionization chamber. The graph is
plotted, the intensity against glancing angle. This is X-ray spectrum; the glancing angles 1,
1, 1 corresponding to peaks in the curve can be read from graph. It is found that
Sin1:sin2:sin3 : : 1 : 2: 3
This shows that the places refer to first, second and third order reflections. According to
Bragg’s law
dsin n
For n = 1, 2, 3 equation above equation is obtained. Hence Bragg’s law is proved.
Limitation of Bragg’s spectrometer is it requires single crystal which is very difficult to
obtain
Fig.25 (a) Bragg’s spectrometer and (b) variation of intensity with glancing angle.
Questions
Q.1 Define: (i) Space lattice (ii) Basis (iii) Unit cell
Q.2 Describe the seven crystal systems with examples and neat diagrams.
Q.3 Explain Bravais lattice in three dimensions.
Q.4 Draw a neat diagram and write conditions for basis vectors and interfacial angles for
monoclinic and triclinic system.
Q.5 State different characteristics of unit cell.
Q.6 Define coordination number and give its value for SC, BCC, FCC lattices.
Q.7 Derive relation between lattice parameter and density of crystal for cubic system.
Q.8 What is packing fraction? Show that packing fraction for SC, BCC and FCC lattices are
52%, 68% and 74% respectively.
Q.9 Explain the method to determine Miller indices and give important features of it.
Q.10 Define symmetry operations and explain different symmetry elements for cubic
system.
Q.11 State and explain Bragg’s law of X-ray diffraction.
Q.12 Discuss crystal structure analysis by Bragg’s X-ray spectrometer.
Q.13 Write note on construction and working of Bragg’s X-ray spectrometer.