Rashba-like spin splitting around non-time-reversal-invariant momenta

Tao，L. L.1; Li，Jiayu2; Liu，Yuntian2; Wang，Xianjie1; Sui，Yu1; Song，Bo3; Zhuravlev，M. Ye4; Liu，Qihang2

2023-06-15

10.1103/PhysRevB.107.235138

Physical Review B   Impact Factor & Quartile

2469-9950

2469-9969

The ubiquitous Rashba spin splitting occurring around time-reversal-invariant momenta (TRIM) reflects the fundamental interplay between spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and crystalline symmetry. Unexpectedly, recent measurements reveal novel Rashba spin splitting around the momenta lacking time-reversal symmetry (non-TRIM), whose mechanism remains elusive. Here, we theoretically elucidate the microscopic origin of Rashba spin splitting around non-TRIM and identify the design principles for its appearance. Conventionally, a Zeeman-like spin splitting dominates around non-TRIM due to the broken time-reversal symmetry and diminishes the Rashba-like features. Our results show that the Bloch wave function with specific orbital representation at certain non-TRIM could eliminate the first-order SOC effect. As a result, the corresponding little group hosts a type of quasisymmetry that commutes with the dominating SOC Hamiltonian, leading to a tiny SOC gap and helical spin texture. Furthermore, such a quasi-symmetry-induced tiny gap could manifest large Berry curvature, which is desirable for various topological applications. Our work expands the concept of Rashba physics beyond the conventional TRIM scenario, paving an avenue for designing novel spin-splitting materials through the cooperation of symmetry and orbital engineering.

SCI

English

NI Journal Papers

Others

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities[12274102] ; National Natural Science Foundation of China["12274194","2019B030301001"] ; null[FRFCU5710053421]

Materials Science ; Physics

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary ; Physics, Applied ; Physics, Condensed Matter

WOS:001057999200001

AMER PHYSICAL SOC

PHYSICS

2-s2.0-85163506451

Scopus

1.School of Physics,Harbin Institute of Technology,Harbin,150001,China
2.Shenzhen Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering,Department of Physics,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
3.National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Advanced Composites in Special Environments,Harbin Institute of Technology,Harbin,150001,China
4.St. Petersburg State University,St. Petersburg,190000,Russian Federation

Tao，L. L.,Li，Jiayu,Liu，Yuntian,et al. Rashba-like spin splitting around non-time-reversal-invariant momenta[J]. Physical Review B,2023,107(23).

Tao，L. L..,Li，Jiayu.,Liu，Yuntian.,Wang，Xianjie.,Sui，Yu.,...&Liu，Qihang.(2023).Rashba-like spin splitting around non-time-reversal-invariant momenta.Physical Review B,107(23).

Tao，L. L.,et al."Rashba-like spin splitting around non-time-reversal-invariant momenta".Physical Review B 107.23(2023).