kristallgittret

Kristallgittret is a term used in some Nordic-language texts to describe the crystal lattice, the orderly, repeating arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in a crystalline solid. In English-language science, the same concept is typically called a crystal lattice or lattices. The word combines kristall (crystal) with gittret, a cognate of the German Gitter meaning lattice, and it is not widely standardized in English scientific literature.

A crystal lattice is defined by a periodic array of lattice points in three-dimensional space, characterized by a unit cell and lattice vectors a, b, c and the interaxial angles α, β, γ. The arrangement falls into one of the Bravais lattices or, more generally, into the 14 space groups that describe symmetry. Real materials approximate ideal lattices but contain defects such as vacancies, interstitials, and dislocations that affect properties.

Formation occurs during solidification, phase transitions, or precipitation from a solution, and ongoing diffusion can alter the lattice over time. External factors such as temperature, pressure, and stress influence lattice parameters and symmetry. The lattice determines many physical properties, including mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and electronic band structure, and it governs optical behavior through refractive indices and photonic interactions. Doping or alloying changes lattice spacing and electronic structure, enabling applications in semiconductors, photovoltaics, and catalysts.

In summary, kristallgittret in its general sense refers to the crystal lattice as a foundational concept in solid-state science, with its structure underpinning a material’s properties and applications.