13

The superscripts position is exactly the same for these two statements:

\vphantom{\int}^S and {}^S

How can I get the superscript higher up?

Edit

The \intis just an example. Here is another one: \vphantom{)}^S and )^S.

1
  • 1
    in which mode? text based math or display based? It might also be an idea to explain a bit more about what you are trying to do. Perhaps there is a better solution than trying to hack something together manually.
    – daleif
    Mar 14, 2014 at 12:08

2 Answers 2

12

The construct \vphantom is not a math operator, thus the rules for an ordinary math atom applies for the superscript. \mathop helps:

\documentclass{article}

\begin{document}
\[
  \int^S = \mathop{\vphantom{\int}}\nolimits^S
\]
\[
  \int\limits^S = \mathop{\vphantom{\int}}^S
\]
\end{document}

Result

With package amsmath an "empty" math operator can be declared with \DeclareMathOperator:

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{amsmath}
\DeclareMathOperator*{\vint}{\vphantom{\int}}

\begin{document}
\[
  \int^S = \vint\nolimits^S
\]
\[
  \int\limits^S = \vint^S
\]
\end{document}

In case of a larger closing delimiter, \mathclose can help, e.g.:

\documentclass{article}

\begin{document}
\[
  \Biggr)^S = \mathclose{\vphantom{\Biggr)}}^S
\]
\end{document}

Superscript at invisible closing delimiter

I do not know, the reason for the question. If only a lonely higher superscript is needed, then an invisible \rule or \raisebox will help:

\documentclass{article}

\begin{document}
\[
  {}^S < \rule{0pt}{2.5ex}^S < \raisebox{3ex}{$\scriptstyle S$}
\]
\end{document}

Higher superscript

3
  • Is this equivalent to a simple {\vphantom{\int}}^S? What about the )^S? It seems your solutions will produce a higher superscript than )^S.
    – user4514
    Mar 16, 2014 at 9:24
  • @user4514: I have added some other cases in the updated answer. Mar 16, 2014 at 12:33
  • @user4514 Yes, this is equivalent to {\vphantom{\int}}^S. See my answer where the reason of your problem is explained in detail.
    – wipet
    Nov 2, 2017 at 6:31
9

The reason is: the macro \vphantom expands to the \mathchoice primitive. This primitive puts the "choice item" to the math list. When the ^ follows, then nucleus of the atom is not created immediately before and you can read the TeXbook, page 291:

<superscript>: If the current list does not end with an atom, a new Ord atom with all fields empty is appended.

Try this:

$ \int^S, {\int}^S  % <- both creates the same result, Ord or Op is irrelevant
  \mathchoice{\int}{\int}{\int}{\int}^S % <- this emulates \vphnatom{\int}^S
  % and the empty atom is inserted (see TeXbook) like: 
  \mathchoice{\int}{\int}{\int}{\int}{}^S
  % so the result is the same as:
  {}^S
$

You can solve your problem by:

$ {\vphantom{\int}}^S $ 

because the Ord atom is created with "choice item" as nucleus.

Note: Ordinary atom is not problem, problem is \mathchoice.

1
  • I've always wondered why \vphantom did not always behave exactly like its typeset counterpart. Thanks. Nov 2, 2017 at 10:13

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