INI

Crystal Structure Types - INI

Crystal structures are classified into 7 crystal systems (cubic, hexagonal, tetragonal, trigonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, and triclinic) based on their symmetry. Considering the arrangement of lattice points, 14 types of Bravais lattices are defined. The cubic system has the highest symmetry, while the triclinic system has the lowest. This classification system forms the foundation for systematically understanding crystal structures in materials science and crystallography.

crystallography materials science Bravais lattice crystal system symmetry solid state physics

[item.cubic]
code=1
slug=cubic
name=Cubic System
description=The crystal system with the highest symmetry, featuring three equal axes at right angles to each other.
axialAngles=α = β = γ = 90°
bravaisLattices=["cP","cI","cF"]
examples=["Sodium chloride (NaCl)","Diamond","Gold","Copper","Iron","Fluorite","Pyrite"]
latticeParameters=a = b = c
symmetry=highest

[item.hexagonal]
code=2
slug=hexagonal
name=Hexagonal System
description=A crystal system with a 6-fold symmetry axis, featuring a base in the shape of a 60-degree rhombus.
axialAngles=α = β = 90°, γ = 120°
bravaisLattices=["hP"]
examples=["Graphite","Zinc","Beryl","Apatite","Magnetite"]
latticeParameters=a = b ≠ c
symmetry=high

[item.tetragonal]
code=3
slug=tetragonal
name=Tetragonal System
description=A crystal system with a 4-fold symmetry axis, featuring a square base with different height.
axialAngles=α = β = γ = 90°
bravaisLattices=["tP","tI"]
examples=["Zircon","Rutile (TiO₂)","Tin (β-tin)"]
latticeParameters=a = b ≠ c
symmetry=high

[item.trigonal]
code=4
slug=trigonal
name=Trigonal System
description=A crystal system with a 3-fold symmetry axis, featuring a rhombohedral unit cell.
axialAngles=α = β = γ ≠ 90°
bravaisLattices=["hR"]
examples=["Quartz","Calcite","Corundum (Ruby, Sapphire)","Tourmaline"]
latticeParameters=a = b = c
symmetry=high

[item.orthorhombic]
code=5
slug=orthorhombic
name=Orthorhombic System
description=A crystal system where three axes are at right angles to each other but have different lengths.
axialAngles=α = β = γ = 90°
bravaisLattices=["oP","oC","oI","oF"]
examples=["Topaz","Sulfur","Olivine","Aragonite","Barite"]
latticeParameters=a ≠ b ≠ c
symmetry=medium

[item.monoclinic]
code=6
slug=monoclinic
name=Monoclinic System
description=A crystal system where one axis intersects obliquely with the other two axes.
axialAngles=α = γ = 90°, β ≠ 90°
bravaisLattices=["mP","mC"]
examples=["Gypsum","Augite","Orthoclase","Mica","Azurite"]
latticeParameters=a ≠ b ≠ c
symmetry=low

[item.triclinic]
code=7
slug=triclinic
name=Triclinic System
description=The crystal system with the lowest symmetry, featuring three axes intersecting at different angles.
axialAngles=α ≠ β ≠ γ ≠ 90°
bravaisLattices=["aP"]
examples=["Kyanite","Microcline","Albite","Turquoise"]
latticeParameters=a ≠ b ≠ c
symmetry=lowest