Right-handed quartz

Definition

The dextrorotatory quartz is called right-handed quartz. The space group of the right-handed quartz in the low-temperature phase is P3₂21.

History

In 1811, D. F. J. Arago found the optical activity of the quartz plate prepared by cutting the crystal into slices perpendicular to the c axis. In 1819, J.-B. Biot examined the quartz plates by a polarimeter to recognize that there are dextrorotatory and laevorotatory quartz. The absolute structure of the dextrorotatory quartz was determined by X-ray anomalous scattering in 1958 by A. De Vries to establish the relationship that the dextrorotatory quartz has 3₂ screw axes.

Reference

• Glazer, A. M. (2018). J. Appl. Cryst. 51, 915–918. Confusion over the description of the quartz structure yet again

See also

• Absolute structure
• Chiral space group