Crystal Structure: Primitive base vectors etc

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the identification of primitive base vectors within a tetragonal conventional unit cell, specifically in relation to a face-centered structure. The user, Declan, proposes vectors for manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni) based on their positions within the unit cell. The lecturer initially misinterprets the structure as cubic but later acknowledges the tetragonal nature. The correct approach involves recognizing the relationship between the cubic face-centered cubic (FCC) structure and the tetragonal unit cell.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of tetragonal unit cells in crystallography
  • Familiarity with face-centered cubic (FCC) structures
  • Knowledge of Bravais lattices and primitive vectors
  • Ability to work with unit vectors in three-dimensional space
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of tetragonal unit cells in crystallography
  • Learn about the derivation of primitive vectors for various Bravais lattices
  • Explore the relationship between cubic and tetragonal structures in solid-state physics
  • Investigate the application of symmetry operations in crystallography
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Students and professionals in materials science, crystallography, and solid-state physics who are looking to deepen their understanding of crystal structures and their corresponding primitive vectors.

ApeXaviour
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This is the question:
http://www.maths.tcd.ie/~cockburd/Question.jpg
It's not a homework question, merely one from a previous years tutorial sheet.
Okay so it's tetragonal conventional unit cell, has a sort of face centered structure right?
Em.. so that would mean it has a four point basis.
My attempt at labelling the vectors of the basis was:

Mn at 0, a/2*(A+B)
Ni at c/2*C + a/2*A, c/2*C + a/2*B

A, B and C being unit vectors.. (I changed them to capitals to avoid confusion with the magnitudes a,b and c). I really have absolutely no idea if this is correct. I took the origin to be the bottom rear left Mn atom and took the 3 nearest face centre ones to it. I brought it to the lecturer, explained my confusion, he took a quick glance and told me my answer too complicated, that it was cubic. Then he realized it wasn't, stated as much and proceeded to lose attention.
Then for the primitive vectors of the bravais lattice.
Well there are three right? let's call them a1, a2 and a3.

a1 = a/2*B +c/2*C
a1 = a/2*(A + B)
a3 = a/2*A +c/2*C


So am I close or have I completely misconceived what the bravais lattice and primitive base vectors are?
Thanks
-Declan
 
Last edited:
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Looks ok to me. You get the tetragonal unit cell by stretching the cubic cell along one of the lattice vectors so keeping it closely analogous to cubic FCC is the right way to go.
 

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