Jmol Reciprocal Lattice Demo

This page demonstrates the relationship between the "reciprocal lattice" (the large scale with tiny dots marked, axes h, k, and l.) and families of crystallographic planes (displayed when one of the reciprocal lattice points is clicked).

In making this visualization, the reciprocal lattice has been enlarged just to make the lattice points more easily clickable. Its scale is actually much smaller (by a factor here of 2π / |a|²).

Click a lattice point to see the family of planes associated with that combination of h, k, and l.

Click and drag to manipulate the model. Click and drag near the right side of the applet to adjust scaling.

Click the Jmol logo for a pop-up menu that lets you export PNG images (under menu item "File").

Jmol Reciprocal Lattice Demo This page demonstrates the relationship between the "reciprocal lattice" (the large scale with tiny dots marked, axes h, k, and l.) and families of crystallographic planes (displayed when one of the reciprocal lattice points is clicked). In making this visualization, the reciprocal lattice has been enlarged just to make the lattice points more easily clickable. Its scale is actually much smaller (by a factor here of 2π / \|a\|²). Click a lattice point to see the family of planes associated with that combination of h, k, and l. Click and drag to manipulate the model. Click and drag near the right side of the applet to adjust scaling. Click the Jmol logo for a pop-up menu that lets you export PNG images (under menu item "File").