paratoortho

Paratoortho is a term used in the field of crystallography to describe a specific type of crystal lattice. In a paratoortho lattice, the unit cell is characterized by three axes that are mutually perpendicular, meaning they intersect at right angles. This is similar to the orthorhombic crystal system, but with a unique twist: the angles between the axes are not all 90 degrees, but rather 90, 90, and 120 degrees. This results in a lattice that is orthorhombic in one plane and trigonal in another. The term "paratoortho" is derived from the Greek words "para" meaning beside or alongside, and "ortho" meaning straight, reflecting the unique arrangement of the axes. This lattice type is relatively rare and is found in certain minerals and materials.