egységcellán

In crystallography and solid-state physics, the term "egységcellán" refers to the smallest repeating unit of a crystal lattice. This unit, when translated in three dimensions, can generate the entire crystal structure. It is also known as the primitive cell or unit cell. The shape and dimensions of the unit cell are defined by its lattice parameters, which include the lengths of the edges and the angles between them.

The concept of the unit cell is fundamental to understanding the macroscopic properties of crystalline materials. Properties such as density, electrical conductivity, and optical behavior are directly related to the arrangement of atoms within the unit cell and how these cells pack together. Different crystal systems, such as cubic, tetragonal, orthorhombic, and hexagonal, are characterized by distinct unit cell geometries.

While the primitive unit cell is the smallest possible repeating unit, often a larger, more symmetrical unit cell, called the conventional unit cell, is used for convenience. This conventional cell contains a whole number of lattice points and is chosen to reflect the symmetry of the crystal system. The choice of unit cell, whether primitive or conventional, depends on the specific application and the desired level of detail in describing the crystal structure.