Point Groups in Three Dimensions - 3D Isometries That Leave Origin Fixed

3D Isometries That Leave Origin Fixed

The isometries of R3 that leave the origin fixed, forming the group O(3,R), can be categorized as follows:

  • SO(3,R):
    • identity
    • rotation about an axis through the origin by an angle not equal to 180°
    • rotation about an axis through the origin by an angle of 180°
  • the same with inversion (x is mapped to −x), i.e. respectively:
    • inversion
    • rotation about an axis by an angle not equal to 180°, combined with reflection in the plane through the origin perpendicular to the axis
    • reflection in a plane through the origin

The 4th and 5th in particular, and in a wider sense the 6th also, are called improper rotations.

See also the similar overview including translations.

Read more about this topic:  Point Groups In Three Dimensions

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