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Vectors and Tensors in Crystallography

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This Dover reprint of "Vectors and Tensors in Crystallography" by Donald Sands is a wonderful single volume introduction to basic vector and tensor methods as applied to crystallography. All the basics of vector operations are clearly explained in chapter 1. Chapter two moves on to vector descriptions of lines, planes and projections. Three moves on to transformations, especially rotations and coordinate transformations. The first three chapters lay a solid foundation for chapter 4, a concise vector & tensor based development of symmetry, working up to the derivation of space groups. Chapter 6 has the most practical & useful information: the various geometries used in diffraction experiments. This text is an excellent resource for those new to crystallography or wanting to more detail than the absolute basics. In particular, this text would be ideal for a crystallographer moving into the field from a biology undergraduate background who may need a little review of the basics of vector operations before moving on to more advanced topics covered later in the text or dealing with the level of detail in The International Tables for x-ray Crystallography. Worked exercises are provided for most sections to aid self-study.