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Introduction to Crystallography
This new volume provides a clearly illustrated introduction to the basic concepts of crystallography. Readers will find a description of simple crystal structures with an explanation of how more complex structures can be considered in terms of these basic units. Simple two-dimensional patterns are used to introduce the concepts of the lattice and the motif, as well as the ideas of symmetry. Three-dimensional patterns are covered with a discussion of the 14 Bravais lattices, and the division of crystals into seven systems. The description of crystal structures in terms of Miller indices and zone axis symbols is examined, and the concept of the reciprocal lattice is explained. Useful exercises are provided at the end of every chapter, and useful geometric relationships are summarized in an appendix. Many suggestions for further reading are included.
110 pages, Paperback
First published February 22, 1990
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April 13, 2011
I purchased Christopher Hammond's Introduction to Crystallography while I was employed as a crystallographer and zone refining technician at FEI Company in 1996. Since that time I have repeatedly referred to Hammond's guide while employed as an electron microscopist, geology student and more recently (and surprising) as an industrial designer. In retrospect, Hammond's handbook was where I began to acquire a vocabulary and an understanding of the fundamental concepts for materials science, systems science and art.
Introduction to Crystallography as with all of the Royal Microscopical Society: Microscopy Handbooks presents excellent descriptive diagrams accompanied by thorough and concise explanations. In one instance, Hammond use the letters, RMS to describe and explain what is meant by symmetry and asymmetry, that is, The letter R represents a pattern that is inherently asymmetric, whereas the Letter M represents perfect symmetry because it 'consists of two equal sides, each of which is a reflection of a mirror image of the other; there is a mirror line of symmetry down the centre.' The letter S on the other hand does not contain a mirror line, 'but if it is rotated 180 degrees about a point in its centre, an identical S appears; there is a two-fold rotation axis usually called a diad axis at the centre of the S.' It is in this way that Hammond delivers seemingly difficult subject matter in a very easy-to-understand manner. Hammond articulates points on crystallography in using artistic and literary analogies and references as well. This is further demonstrated in Section 5.1 where Hammond explains what is meant by a 'zone axis:' 'the six faces of a pencil all form or lie in a zone because they all intersect along one direction 'the pencil lead direction which is the zone axis for this set of face.'
Although, Introduction to Crystallography focuses on materials at the atomic level it is difficult to deny that identical patterns exist in nature and hence in human expression at the macroscopic level. Hammond alludes to this point while describing two-dimensional patterns, lattices and symmetry in section 2.2, 'like all simple definitions (and indeed ideas), this definition of lattice is often not fully appreciated; there is, to use a colloquial expression, 'more to it than meets the eye!' It is possibly in this example, that Hammond interjects his wry sense of wit to a subject that can often be thought of as dry or mundane. Likewise in the exercise set aside at the end of chapter two, Hammond refers to artistic examples by M.C. Escher in order to comprehend what is meant by plane patterns, that is, motifs and alike.
Introduction to Crystallography's appendices are as interesting and as useful as the text itself. Appendix 3; 'Bibliographical Notes on Crystallographers Mentioned in the Text reads like a whose who in the field of Materials Science, and answers many of the questions one would have in reference to the origins of crystallography as well as the main contributors. Likewise Appendix 4: "Some Useful Geometric Relationships" offers six sets of formulae commonly used by crystallographers, physical chemists and mineralogists alike.
RECOMMENDATION:
Introduction to Crystallography is particularly useful weather one is working with crystal specimens in a laboratory, identifying minerals in the field or weather one is trying to articulate artistic designs or engineering a physical structure. This book is only 101 pages long and can easily be read in one sitting. The dimensions of the paperback edition are such that it can easily be stuffed into a backpack or used to steady a piece of lab equipment in a pinch. Either way, I predict that you and Hammond's Introduction to Crystallography will become fast and inseparable friends!
WEBOGRAPHY:
Visit the following links to learn more about Christopher Hammond, the Royal Microscopy Society or to discover some of the other works distributed by Oxford Science Publications.
Institute for Materials Research Faculty of Engineering: http://www.engineering.leeds.ac.uk/im...
Royal Microscopy Society: http://www.rms.org.uk/
Oxford Science Publications: http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Hammond, C. Introduction to Crystallography (Microscopy Handbooks). 1st ed. Vol. 1. New York: Oxford UP, 1990. Print. Ser. 2.
Introduction to Crystallography as with all of the Royal Microscopical Society: Microscopy Handbooks presents excellent descriptive diagrams accompanied by thorough and concise explanations. In one instance, Hammond use the letters, RMS to describe and explain what is meant by symmetry and asymmetry, that is, The letter R represents a pattern that is inherently asymmetric, whereas the Letter M represents perfect symmetry because it 'consists of two equal sides, each of which is a reflection of a mirror image of the other; there is a mirror line of symmetry down the centre.' The letter S on the other hand does not contain a mirror line, 'but if it is rotated 180 degrees about a point in its centre, an identical S appears; there is a two-fold rotation axis usually called a diad axis at the centre of the S.' It is in this way that Hammond delivers seemingly difficult subject matter in a very easy-to-understand manner. Hammond articulates points on crystallography in using artistic and literary analogies and references as well. This is further demonstrated in Section 5.1 where Hammond explains what is meant by a 'zone axis:' 'the six faces of a pencil all form or lie in a zone because they all intersect along one direction 'the pencil lead direction which is the zone axis for this set of face.'
Although, Introduction to Crystallography focuses on materials at the atomic level it is difficult to deny that identical patterns exist in nature and hence in human expression at the macroscopic level. Hammond alludes to this point while describing two-dimensional patterns, lattices and symmetry in section 2.2, 'like all simple definitions (and indeed ideas), this definition of lattice is often not fully appreciated; there is, to use a colloquial expression, 'more to it than meets the eye!' It is possibly in this example, that Hammond interjects his wry sense of wit to a subject that can often be thought of as dry or mundane. Likewise in the exercise set aside at the end of chapter two, Hammond refers to artistic examples by M.C. Escher in order to comprehend what is meant by plane patterns, that is, motifs and alike.
Introduction to Crystallography's appendices are as interesting and as useful as the text itself. Appendix 3; 'Bibliographical Notes on Crystallographers Mentioned in the Text reads like a whose who in the field of Materials Science, and answers many of the questions one would have in reference to the origins of crystallography as well as the main contributors. Likewise Appendix 4: "Some Useful Geometric Relationships" offers six sets of formulae commonly used by crystallographers, physical chemists and mineralogists alike.
RECOMMENDATION:
Introduction to Crystallography is particularly useful weather one is working with crystal specimens in a laboratory, identifying minerals in the field or weather one is trying to articulate artistic designs or engineering a physical structure. This book is only 101 pages long and can easily be read in one sitting. The dimensions of the paperback edition are such that it can easily be stuffed into a backpack or used to steady a piece of lab equipment in a pinch. Either way, I predict that you and Hammond's Introduction to Crystallography will become fast and inseparable friends!
WEBOGRAPHY:
Visit the following links to learn more about Christopher Hammond, the Royal Microscopy Society or to discover some of the other works distributed by Oxford Science Publications.
Institute for Materials Research Faculty of Engineering: http://www.engineering.leeds.ac.uk/im...
Royal Microscopy Society: http://www.rms.org.uk/
Oxford Science Publications: http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Hammond, C. Introduction to Crystallography (Microscopy Handbooks). 1st ed. Vol. 1. New York: Oxford UP, 1990. Print. Ser. 2.
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