Crystallography is the science of crystals and has undergone innumerable
changes in the course of its development. In fact, crystals have puzzled mankind
since ancient times and crystallography as an independent branch of science began
to take shape only during seventeenth to eighteenth centuries. In some way or the
other, different topics considered in the book are taught under different
courses/subjects such as solid-state physics, solid-state chemistry, mathematics,
molecular biology, geology, metallurgy, and particularly the materials science and
mineralogy at different universities and institutions. However, the introductory
books covering these topics in a broader sense do not cater to the needs of students
in real sense as they do not deal with the solved numerical problems. Similarly,
students do not find the exhaustive treatises on crystallography written by the
well-known authors very useful as they are difficult to comprehend and do not deal
with numerical problems.
This book includes nine chapters based on different topics of crystallography,
with each chapter containing a different number of intimately related subtopics.
Each chapter begins with a brief but relevant description of the first subtopic (as
provided in the content) explaining its basic concept, then followed by a number of
solved numerical examples based on it for further clarity on the subject. This is how
all other subtopics are completed in each chapter. This book will be extremely
helpful to faculty members associated with the field and students of physics,
chemistry, biology, geology, metallurgy and engineering-related subjects, particularly at graduate and research levels where they have to appear for various competitive examinations.
The author has taken utmost care in selecting various topics and presenting them
in a simplified form as far as possible for the benefit of students and faculties. At the
end of each chapter, the students will find multiple-choice questions (based on the
solved examples) along with their answers for practice and gaining self-confidence.
The main features of this book are:
1. Carefully selected important and relevant topics of crystallography
2. Brief but relevant description of each subtopic explaining its basic concept
3. Solved examples under each conceptual subtopic
4. Multiple choice questions, along with the key at the end of each chapter
Although proper care has been taken during the preparation of the manuscript,
few errors might creep in. Any omission, errors, suggestions brought to my
knowledge will be appreciated and thankfully acknowledged.
I sincerely admit and acknowledge that I learnt the art of systematic presentation
of the research work or other related scientific matters from my supervisor, Prof.
G. C. Trigunayat (Late), Department. of Physics, University of Delhi. I also sincerely acknowledge the work of my two sons Mr. Khurram Mujtaba Wahab and
vi
Preface
changes in the course of its development. In fact, crystals have puzzled mankind
since ancient times and crystallography as an independent branch of science began
to take shape only during seventeenth to eighteenth centuries. In some way or the
other, different topics considered in the book are taught under different
courses/subjects such as solid-state physics, solid-state chemistry, mathematics,
molecular biology, geology, metallurgy, and particularly the materials science and
mineralogy at different universities and institutions. However, the introductory
books covering these topics in a broader sense do not cater to the needs of students
in real sense as they do not deal with the solved numerical problems. Similarly,
students do not find the exhaustive treatises on crystallography written by the
well-known authors very useful as they are difficult to comprehend and do not deal
with numerical problems.
This book includes nine chapters based on different topics of crystallography,
with each chapter containing a different number of intimately related subtopics.
Each chapter begins with a brief but relevant description of the first subtopic (as
provided in the content) explaining its basic concept, then followed by a number of
solved numerical examples based on it for further clarity on the subject. This is how
all other subtopics are completed in each chapter. This book will be extremely
helpful to faculty members associated with the field and students of physics,
chemistry, biology, geology, metallurgy and engineering-related subjects, particularly at graduate and research levels where they have to appear for various competitive examinations.
The author has taken utmost care in selecting various topics and presenting them
in a simplified form as far as possible for the benefit of students and faculties. At the
end of each chapter, the students will find multiple-choice questions (based on the
solved examples) along with their answers for practice and gaining self-confidence.
The main features of this book are:
1. Carefully selected important and relevant topics of crystallography
2. Brief but relevant description of each subtopic explaining its basic concept
3. Solved examples under each conceptual subtopic
4. Multiple choice questions, along with the key at the end of each chapter
Although proper care has been taken during the preparation of the manuscript,
few errors might creep in. Any omission, errors, suggestions brought to my
knowledge will be appreciated and thankfully acknowledged.
I sincerely admit and acknowledge that I learnt the art of systematic presentation
of the research work or other related scientific matters from my supervisor, Prof.
G. C. Trigunayat (Late), Department. of Physics, University of Delhi. I also sincerely acknowledge the work of my two sons Mr. Khurram Mujtaba Wahab and
vi
Preface