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Is there anyway to arrange the order of my groups?

In Schönflies notation of the point groups, Cn denotes a circular symmetry of 'order n' - is 'order' correct?

  • I want the 'correct' term for the 'n' in Schönflies notation. I.e. C_2 (2-fold) or C_3 (3-fold), C_n in general, but what do I call the value of n? I am tempted to say n is the order of the symmetry, but I am talking about a specific point group, so does that make sense? Other point groups include D_n for dihedral symmetry (e.g. D_2, D_3, D_4, etc.) and S_n for 'mirror symmetry. Again, the subscript n. What is the correct name of 'n' ???

  • Answer:

    Order sounds good; perhaps order of rotation or some other term that denotes that we are talking about a rotation axis here. Maybe define it as a rotation index defined as "theta=360/n" or something. I also can't find my group theory book (did I even have one?) but just go with what is the clearest.

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Order certainly seems to be a reasonable word for what you're describing. I don't have my Group Theory book handy at the moment, but thumbing though an old Cotton and Wilkinson I can't find an exact term for "n". What exactly are you trying to say, perhaps there is a less clumsy way of putting it.

Stephan B

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