The Beta Tin (A5) Structure

Last modified 5 April 2001

You can now

• see the structure from several perspectives;
• examine the structure with an external viewer; or
• download the coordinates of the atoms in these pictures in XYZ format.

Note that when c/a = 2^½ this lattice is equivalent to the diamond lattice.

• Prototype: Beta-Sn
• Pearson Symbol: tI4
• Strukturbericht Designation: A5
• Space Group: I4₁/amd (Cartesian and lattice coordinate listings available)
• Number: 141
• Other Elements with this Structure:
• Primitive Vectors:
  • A₁ = aX
  • A₂ = aY
  • A₃ = ½ a X + ½ a Y + ½ c Z

• The basis vectors are at the (4a) sites in the International Crystallography Tables. Note that we use the representation where an inversion site is at the origin. Previously, we put the atoms on the (4b) sites and then mis-identified the origin. This wouldn't affect any calculations you might have, but does cause a disagreement between the vectors reported here, in Pearson's Handbook, and the Space Group tables. (And this time we'll get it right.):
  
  
  • B₁ = - 1/8 A₁ - 3/8 A₂ + 1/4 A₃ = - 1/4 a Y + 1/8 c Z
  • B₂ = + 1/8 A₁ + 3/8 A₂ - 1/4 A₃ = + 1/4 a Y - 1/8 c Z

See these vectors in a better notation.

Go back to the Carbon and Related Structures page.

Go back to Crystal Lattice Structure page.

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