# 0.7 Solid state and superconductors  (Page 2/9)

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The unit cell

Since the crystal lattice is made up of a regular arrangement which repeats in three dimensions, we can save ourselves a great deal of work by considering the simple repeating unit rather than the entire crystal lattice. The basic repeating unit is known as the unit cell. Crystalline solids often have flat, well-defined faces that make definite angles with their neighbors and break cleanly when struck. These faces lie along well-defined directions in the unit cell.

The unit cell is the smallest, most symmetrical repeating unit that, when translated in three dimensions, will generate the entire crystal lattice.

It is possible to have a number of different choices for the unit cell. By convention, the unit cell that reflects the highest symmetry of the lattice is the one that is chosen. A unit cell may be thought of as being like a brick which is used to build a building (a crystal). Many bricks are stacked together to create the entire structure. Because the unit cell must translate in three dimensions, there are certain geometrical constraints placed upon its shape. The main criterion is that the opposite faces of the unit cell must be parallel. Because of this restriction there are only six parameters that we need to define in order to define the shape of the unit cell. These include three edge lengths a, b, and c and three angles $\alpha$ , $\beta$ and $\gamma$ . Once these are defined all other distances and angles in the unit cell are set. As a result of symmetry, some of these angles and edge lengths may be the same. There are only seven different shapes for unit cells possible. These are given in the chart below.

 Unit Cell Type Restrictions on Unit Cell Parameters Highest Type of Symmetry Element Required Triclinic a is not equal to b is not equal to c; $\alpha$ is not equal to $\beta$ is not equal to $\gamma$ . no symmetry is required, an inversioncenter may be present Monoclinic a is not equal to b is not equal to c $\alpha$ = $\gamma$  $\text{90}°$  $\beta$ is not equal to $\text{90}°$ . highest symmetry element allowed is aC2 axis or a mirror plane Orthorhombic a is not equal to b is not equal to c $\alpha$ = $\beta$ = $\gamma$  $\text{90}°$ has three mutually perpendicularmirror planes and/or C2 axes Tetragonal a =b is not equal to c $\alpha$ = $\beta$ = $\gamma$  $\text{90}°$ has one C4 axis Cubic a =b =c $\alpha$ = $\beta$ = $\gamma$  $\text{90}°$  has C3 and C4 axes Hexagonal, Trigonal a =b is not equal to c $\alpha$ = $\beta$ = $\text{90}°$  $\gamma$  $\text{120}°$ C6 axis (hexagonal); C3 axis (trigonal) Rhombohedral* a =b =c $\alpha$ = $\beta$ = $\gamma$ is not equal to $\text{90}°$ C3 axis (trigonal)

*There is some discussion about whether the rhombohedral unit cell is a different group or is really a subset of the trigonal/hexagonal types of unit cell.

## Stoichiometry

You will be asked to count the number of atoms in each unit cell in order to determine the stoichiometry (atom-to-atom ratio) or empirical formula of the compound. However, it is important to remember that solid state structures are extended, that is, they extend out in all directions such that the atoms that lie on the corners, faces, or edges of a unit cell will be shared with other unit cells, and therefore will only contribute a fraction of that boundary atom. As you build crystal lattices in these exercises you will note that eight unit cells come together at a corner. Thus, an atom which lies exactly at the corner of a unit cell will be shared by eight unit cells which means that only⅛of the atom contributes to the stoichiometry of any particular unit cell. Likewise, if an atom is on an edge, only¼of the atom will be in a unit cell because four unit cells share an edge. An atom on a face will only contribute½to each unit cell since the face is shared between two unit cells.

what is the stm
is there industrial application of fullrenes. What is the method to prepare fullrene on large scale.?
Rafiq
industrial application...? mmm I think on the medical side as drug carrier, but you should go deeper on your research, I may be wrong
Damian
How we are making nano material?
what is a peer
What is meant by 'nano scale'?
What is STMs full form?
LITNING
scanning tunneling microscope
Sahil
how nano science is used for hydrophobicity
Santosh
Do u think that Graphene and Fullrene fiber can be used to make Air Plane body structure the lightest and strongest. Rafiq
Rafiq
what is differents between GO and RGO?
Mahi
what is simplest way to understand the applications of nano robots used to detect the cancer affected cell of human body.? How this robot is carried to required site of body cell.? what will be the carrier material and how can be detected that correct delivery of drug is done Rafiq
Rafiq
what is Nano technology ?
write examples of Nano molecule?
Bob
The nanotechnology is as new science, to scale nanometric
brayan
nanotechnology is the study, desing, synthesis, manipulation and application of materials and functional systems through control of matter at nanoscale
Damian
Is there any normative that regulates the use of silver nanoparticles?
what king of growth are you checking .?
Renato
What fields keep nano created devices from performing or assimulating ? Magnetic fields ? Are do they assimilate ?
why we need to study biomolecules, molecular biology in nanotechnology?
?
Kyle
yes I'm doing my masters in nanotechnology, we are being studying all these domains as well..
why?
what school?
Kyle
biomolecules are e building blocks of every organics and inorganic materials.
Joe
anyone know any internet site where one can find nanotechnology papers?
research.net
kanaga
sciencedirect big data base
Ernesto
Introduction about quantum dots in nanotechnology
what does nano mean?
nano basically means 10^(-9). nanometer is a unit to measure length.
Bharti
do you think it's worthwhile in the long term to study the effects and possibilities of nanotechnology on viral treatment?
absolutely yes
Daniel
how to know photocatalytic properties of tio2 nanoparticles...what to do now
it is a goid question and i want to know the answer as well
Maciej
Abigail
for teaching engĺish at school how nano technology help us
Anassong
How can I make nanorobot?
Lily
Do somebody tell me a best nano engineering book for beginners?
there is no specific books for beginners but there is book called principle of nanotechnology
NANO
how can I make nanorobot?
Lily
what is fullerene does it is used to make bukky balls
are you nano engineer ?
s.
fullerene is a bucky ball aka Carbon 60 molecule. It was name by the architect Fuller. He design the geodesic dome. it resembles a soccer ball.
Tarell
what is the actual application of fullerenes nowadays?
Damian
That is a great question Damian. best way to answer that question is to Google it. there are hundreds of applications for buck minister fullerenes, from medical to aerospace. you can also find plenty of research papers that will give you great detail on the potential applications of fullerenes.
Tarell
Difference between extinct and extici spicies
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