Rotations and rotation matrices

Abstract

In molecular replacement, a model, described as a list of orthogonal coordinates, is to be moved into a new position and orientation. The orthogonal coordinate system also has to be related to the crystallographic system, which may not be orthogonal, and crystallographic symmetry must be considered, which applies to coordinates expressed as fractions of the unit cell. Elementary properties of rotation matrices and their representation as polar or Eulerian angles are discussed.