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Uncovering and tailoring hidden Rashba spin–orbit splitting in centrosymmetric crystals

Author

Listed:
  • Linding Yuan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qihang Liu

    (University of Colorado
    Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Xiuwen Zhang

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Jun-Wei Luo

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences)

  • Shu-Shen Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences)

  • Alex Zunger

    (University of Colorado)

Abstract

Hidden Rashba and Dresselhaus spin splittings in centrosymmetric crystals with subunits/sectors having non-centrosymmetric symmetries (the R-2 and D-2 effects) have been predicted theoretically and then observed experimentally, but the microscopic mechanism remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that the spin splitting in the R-2 effect is enforced by specific symmetries, such as non-symmorphic symmetry in the present example, which ensures that the pertinent spin wavefunctions segregate spatially on just one of the two inversion-partner sectors and thus avoid compensation. We further show that the effective Hamiltonian for the conventional Rashba (R-1) effect is also applicable for the R-2 effect, but applying a symmetry-breaking electric field to a R-2 compound produces a different spin-splitting pattern than applying a field to a trivial, non-R-2, centrosymmetric compound. This finding establishes a common fundamental source for the R-1 effect and the R-2 effect, both originating from local sector symmetries rather than from the global crystal symmetry per se.

Suggested Citation

  • Linding Yuan & Qihang Liu & Xiuwen Zhang & Jun-Wei Luo & Shu-Shen Li & Alex Zunger, 2019. "Uncovering and tailoring hidden Rashba spin–orbit splitting in centrosymmetric crystals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-08836-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08836-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Lin-Ding Yuan & Xiuwen Zhang & Carlos Mera Acosta & Alex Zunger, 2023. "Uncovering spin-orbit coupling-independent hidden spin polarization of energy bands in antiferromagnets," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. S. Griffitt & M. Spaić & J. Joe & Z. W. Anderson & D. Zhai & M. J. Krogstad & R. Osborn & D. Pelc & M. Greven, 2023. "Local inversion-symmetry breaking in a bismuthate high-Tc superconductor," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.

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