Crystal Research and Technology
Cryst. Res. Technol. 35 (2000) 1347 - Abstract -

C. Silber, H. Follner

Institut für Mineralogie und Mineralische Rohstoffe der Technischen Universität Clausthal, Germany

Crystal Growth Mechanism Determined by Crystallographic and Affine Symmetries

Crystallographic and affine symmetries are the important factors influencing crystal growth. In order to grow quickly, particularly in the initial stage, a crystal requires low indexed faces with thin growth layers. Such periods are produced when the net plane distances are divided by symmetries, predominantly those with glide components. The effectiveness of crystallographic and affine screw axes and glide planes, and hence the growth rate of these faces, depends on the position of the symmetry elements in relation to the lattice planes. The influence of local affine symmetries on crystal growth is not yet known. An analysis was carried out of the symmetries present in the crystal structures of 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone, amidopyrine (P-1) and glycolic acid (P21/c), each with two crystallographically independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. The growth forms were calculated.

Keywords: crystal growth mechanism, correspondence between structure and morphology, Fourier transform method, affine symmetries, structures with two independent molecules



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