is it possible to change the depth of subscripts?

Question

I have the following formula:

$ F_{\!\bm{H}}  F_{\overline{\!\!\bm{H}\!}} $

In this case both subscripts end at different depths (but start at the same height). I'd like them to end at the same depth. Has anybody an idea?

score 10 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 05 '11 at 07:24

10

You might want to look at the subdepth package, which has descrption

This package is based on code (posted long ago to comp.text.tex by Donald Arseneau) to equalise the height of subscripts in maths. The default behaviour is to place subscripts slightly lower when there is a superscript as well, but this can look odd in some situations.

answered Feb 05 '11 at 07:24

Joseph Wright

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See also Subscripts for primed variables for an example of the default behaviour. (The accepted answer by Will Robertson advises to use his subdepth package ...) – Hendrik Vogt Feb 05 '11 at 08:12
The best thing since sliced bread!!! I can finally remove all the ugly \vphantom's from my documents! Thank you! – Dominique Feb 09 '12 at 20:47

Alan Munn · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-05T14:59:53.243

7

You can do the following:

F_{\!\bm{H}\vphantom{\overline{\!\!\bm{H}\!}}} F_{\overline{\!\!\bm{H}\!}}

The \vphantom command makes vertical space the same height its argument. Depending on how often you need this or how predictable it is, you might be able to make a macro to add the \vphantom part automatically.

edited Feb 05 '11 at 14:59

answered Feb 04 '11 at 23:16

Alan Munn

218,180

score 3 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 05 '11 at 09:51

3

$ F_{\!\bm{H}}  F_{\,\smash[t]{\overline{\!\!\bm{H}\!}}} $

answered Feb 05 '11 at 09:51

morbusg · Answer 4 · 2011-02-05T16:02:21.270

2

The following changes the subscripts globally:

% for Plain with default CM-font
\fontdimen16\tensy=2.7pt
\fontdimen17\tensy=2.7pt
% Or more generally
\fontdimen16\textfont0=2.7pt
\fontdimen17\textfont0=2.7pt
$\rm Fe_2^{+2}Cr_2^{+2}O_4^{+2}$
\bye

edited Feb 05 '11 at 16:02

answered Feb 05 '11 at 08:13

morbusg

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One should note that this changes the subscript positions globally even if you put in inside a group. – Hendrik Vogt Feb 05 '11 at 08:17

is it possible to change the depth of subscripts?

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