Crystal structures of inorganic compounds with atomic defects

Main types of crystal structures with different atomic defects (point, volume, planar and linear) are considered using inorganic compounds as an example. The review presents the results of composite analysis of such real structures. Their symmetry, ordering, ways of description, nomenclature and the possibility of the diagnostics from diffraction patterns are discussed. The results of studies provide evidence that polymorphism is typical of real crystal structures.