Choice of basis vectors for conventional unit cells revisited

Abstract

Band diagrams often pass through special $\mathbf{k}$-vector points with "irrational" fractional coordinates such as some Brillouin zone vertices and centers of edges. Use of "standard" primitive cells as defined by Setyawan and Curtarolo [Comp. Mater. Sci. 49, 299] is convenient for band diagram and effective mass calculations because the definitions and coordinates of special $\mathbf{k}$-vector points including "irrational" fractional points are provided, but their basis vectors are taken differently and/or special $\mathbf{k}$-vector point definitions differ from the crystallographic convention in many cases. On the other hand, the Bilbao Crystallographic Server [Bulg. Chem. Commun. 43, 183] defines special $\mathbf{k}$-vector points based on crystallographic convention; however, symbols for "irrational" special $\mathbf{k}$-vector points are not defined. Obviously there is a need for a crystallographic convention-friendly scheme to describe such "irrational" special $\mathbf{k}$-vector points. This paper outlines an algorithm that is relatively straightforward to implement in software to bridge between crystallographic conventional cells and "standard" primitive cells by retaking basis vectors. The procedure is expected to ease systematic electronic and phonon band calculations.