In chemistry and crystallography, structures of identical atoms that are characterized by the same set of interatomic distances are defined as homometric structures. Homometric crystal structures produce identical diffraction patterns; therefore, they cannot be distinguished by a diffraction experiment.
Recently, a Monte Carlo algorithm was proposed to calculate the number of homometric structures corresponding to any given set of interatomic distances.
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Example of two homometric structures (top) formed by the convolution between two non-centrosymmetric structures (bottom) with different orientations.
Famous quotes containing the word structures:
“The philosopher believes that the value of his philosophy lies in its totality, in its structure: posterity discovers it in the stones with which he built and with which other structures are subsequently built that are frequently better—and so, in the fact that that structure can be demolished and yet still possess value as material.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)