Section 12.1.4.3. Short symbols and generators

If the symbols are not only used for the identification of a group but also for its construction, the symbol must contain a list of generating operations and additional relations, if necessary. Following this aspect, the Hermann–Mauguin symbols can be shortened. The choice of generators is not unique; two proposals were presented by Mauguin (1931). In the first proposal, in almost all cases the generators are the same as those of the Shubnikov symbols. In the second proposal, which, apart from some exceptions (see Chapter 12.4 ), is used for the international symbols, Mauguin selected a set of generators and thus a list of short symbols in which reflections have priority (Table 12.1.4.2, column 3). This selection makes the transition from the short point-group symbols to the space-group symbols fairly simple. These short symbols contain two kinds of notation components:

The generating matrices are uniquely defined by (i) and (ii), if it is assumed that they describe motions with counterclockwise rotational sense about the representative direction looked at end on by the observer. The symbols 2, 4, , 6 and referring to direction [001] are indicators when the point-group symbol uses three sets of lattice symmetry directions. For instance, in 4mm the indicator 4 fixes the directions of the mirrors normal to [100] and .

Note : The generation of (a) point group 432 by a rotation 3 around [111] and a rotation 2 and (b) point group by 3 around [111] and a reflection m is only possible if the representative direction of the tertiary set is changed from to [110]; otherwise only the subgroup 32 or 3m of 432 or will be generated.