baxis

Baxis is a term that can denote several concepts depending on the field. In many contexts, it is shorthand for the b axis, the second principal axis in a three-dimensional coordinate system or lattice.

In crystallography and solid-state chemistry, the b-axis is one of the three lattice directions associated with the cell parameters a, b, and c. The lattice parameter along the b-axis defines the length of that direction in real space, and the exact orientation depends on the crystal system (such as orthorhombic, tetragonal, monoclinic, etc.). Angles alpha, beta, and gamma describe the relationships between the axes, and directions and planes are commonly described using Miller indices that reference these axes.

In other contexts, the term is used informally to denote a secondary or second axis in a chart, model, or coordinate system. Some software tools or disciplines label the vertical or secondary axis as the b-axis depending on custom conventions. Because labeling varies by program and field, the meaning of baxis can differ between applications.

Due to its ambiguous nature, readers should consult domain-specific sources to determine the exact meaning of baxis in a given context. When encountering the term, it is helpful to verify whether it refers to a spatial axis in crystallography, a secondary axis in a graph, or another specialized usage. See also: a-axis, c-axis.