Comparison of Cesium Chloride (CsCl) and Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
This a comparison of Cesium Chloride (CsCl) and Sodium Chloride (NaCl). For more details about each structure, see the page about Cesium Chloride and the page about Sodium Chloride.
Views of a single unit cell
The following four structures below are representations of a single unit cell of both CsCl and NaCl. Each CsCl unit cell contains one Cs and one Cl atom, and each NaCl unit cell contains two Na and two Cl atoms. However, visualizing some of the atoms in the neighboring unit cell conveys a better understanding of the crystal structure. In these structures, Cl is green, Cs is purple, and Na is light purple .
Views of Multiple Unit Cells
The CsCl and NaCl crystal structures can be generated by periodically reproducing the unit cell. Below are shown a block of 8 (2x2x2) unit cells. In this structures below, the crystal is oriented so that the computer monitor is parallel to the (001) plane.
Rotation of Unit Cells
When rotated, the CsCl and NaCl crystal structure provides different visualizations of the inherent symmetry. For example, both crystals are oriented so that the computer monitor is parallel to the (011) plane.
Crystal Structure Layers (on edge)
Seen in the (001) plane, one clearly observes the layered structure of each crystal.
Crystal Structure Layers (from top)
Seen in the (111) plane, one clearly observes that the triangular arrangement of the atoms in each layers.
References
Sickafus, K. E. et al. Layered Atom Arrangements in Complex Materials, A Technical Report from Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, LA-14205, April 2006. posted: January, 2015.
updated: February, 2015.