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Twin lattice

From Online Dictionary of Crystallography

Réseau de la macle (Fr). Zwillingsgitter (Ge). Reticolo del geminato (It). 双晶格子 (Ja). Red de la macla (Sp).


A twin operation overlaps both the direct and reciprocal lattices of the individuals that form a twin; consequently, the nodes of the individual lattices are overlapped (restored) to some extent. The (sub)lattice that is formed by the (quasi)restored nodes is the twin lattice. In case of non-zero twin obliquity the twin lattice suffers a slight deviation at the composition surface.

Let H* = ∩iHi be the intersection group of the individuals in their respective orientations, D(H*) the holohedral supergroup (proper or trivial) of H*, D(LT) the point group of the twin lattice and D(Lind) the point group of the individual lattice. D(LT) either coincides with D(H*) (case of zero twin obliquity) or is a proper supergroup of it (case of non-zero twin obliquity): it can be higher than, equal to or lower than D(Lind).


History

The definition of twin lattice was given by G. Donnay [(1940). Am. Mineral. 25, 578-586. Width of albite-twinning lamellae] where the case D(LT) ⊂ D(Lind) was however overlooked.

See also

  • Mallard's law
  • Chapter 3.3 of International Tables for Crystallography, Volume D