Space groups and crystallographic symmetry: writing a multi-featured tutorial in a new style

Knowledge of space groups and the implications of space group symmetry on the physical and chemical properties of solids are pivotal factors in all areas of crystalline solids. As Jerry Jasinski and I met to bring our ideas in teaching this subject to life, we both felt that ‘early and often’ – teaching the concepts with textual and visual reinforcement, is the key to providing a sound basis for students in this subject. The tutorial contains > 200 PowerPoint ‘slides’, in five modules, arranged by crystal class; a sixth module covers special topics. A ‘credits’ module gives the direct addresses of all embedded links. Space-group diagrams appear in Inter­national Tables format. The triclinic and monoclinic groups (2 + 13) are built from ‘scratch’, and are derived from the Hermann–Mauguin symbol. An additional section provides practice on many (but not all) of the ortho­rhom­bic groups in crystal class 222. Finally, a ‘Special Topics’ section on enanti­omorphous space groups features space groups P4(1) and P4(3). In the tutorial, lattice points build iteratively and inter­actively via keyclick, and the coordinates of points ‘pop up’ as the unit cell is filled. We trust that the elements of guidance, inquiry and occasional humor will make the learning process enjoyable.