Kristalstelsel

Kristallstelsel, also known as Crystal System, is a term used in crystallography to describe the arrangement of atoms within a crystal lattice. It is a concept developed by French crystallographer Auguste Bravais in the 19th century. Bravais classified the crystal systems based on the symmetry of their crystal lattices.

According to Bravais, there are seven basic crystal systems: triclinic, monoclinic, orthorhombic, tetragonal, trigonal, hexagonal, and cubic. Each system is characterized by a specific set of lattice parameters and symmetry elements, such as the presence or absence of mirror planes and rotation axes. The crystal systems can be further divided into more specific categories, known as Bravais lattices, which take into account the type of lattice and the arrangement of atoms within it.

The Kristallstelsel classification has been widely used in crystallography and other fields, such as materials science and solid-state physics. It provides a fundamental understanding of the structure and properties of crystalline materials, which is essential for numerous applications, including the design of materials with specific properties. The concept of crystal systems has also been extended to describe the arrangement of atoms in non-crystalline solids and glasses.

While the Kristallstelsel classification is still widely used, it has been largely superseded by more modern and comprehensive theories, such as the understanding of crystal structures in relation to space groups. Nevertheless, the concept of crystal systems remains an important part of crystallography and is still taught in introductory courses on the subject.