International
Tables for Crystallography Volume A Space-group symmetry Edited by Th. Hahn © International Union of Crystallography 2006 |
International Tables for Crystallography (2006). Vol. A. ch. 12.1, p. 818
Section 12.1.3. Shubnikov symbols
a
Universität Erlangen–Nürnberg, Robert-Koch-Strasse 4a, D-91080 Uttenreuth, Germany, and bInstitut für Angewandte Physik, Lehrstuhl für Kristallographie und Strukturphysik, Universität Erlangen–Nürnberg, Bismarckstrasse 10, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany |
The Shubnikov symbol is constructed from a minimal set of generators of a point group (for exceptions, see below). Thus, strictly speaking, the symbols represent types of symmetry operations. Since each symmetry operation is related to a symmetry element, the symbols also have a geometrical meaning. The Shubnikov symbols for symmetry operations differ slightly from the international symbols (Table 12.1.3.1). Note that Shubnikov, like Schoenflies, regards symmetry operations of the second kind as rotoreflections rather than as rotoinversions.
†According to a private communication from J. D. H. Donnay, the symbols for elements of the second kind were proposed by M. J. Buerger. Koptsik (1966) used them for the Shubnikov method.
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If more than one generator is required, it is not sufficient to give only the types of the symmetry elements; their mutual orientations must be symbolized too. In the Shubnikov symbol, a colon (:), a dot (·) or a slash (/) is used to designate perpendicular, parallel or oblique arrangement of the symmetry elements. For a reflection, the orientation of the actual mirror plane is considered, not that of its normal. The exception mentioned above is the use of instead of in the description of point groups.