Carbon nanotube chiral vector (${\mathbf{C}}_h$)

The graphene translation ${\mathbf{C}}_h=n{\mathbf{a}}_1+m{\mathbf{a}}_2$ that becomes a tube circumference when its endpoints are identified. It determines wrapping indices and diameter $|{\mathbf{C}}_h|/\pi$; it is perpendicular to the tube axis.

The angle of the wrapping vector from the zigzag direction of graphene. For chiral indices $0\le m\le n$, $\theta ={\tan }^{-1}[\sqrt{3}m/(2n+m)]$, ranging from zero for zigzag tubes to 30 degrees for armchair tubes. Together with diameter, it determines the discrete wrapping geometry, but does not alone determine the observed colour of a nanotube suspension.