Exact SU(2) Symmetry and Persistent Spin Helix in a Spin-Orbit Coupled System

2006/06/30 by B. Andrei Bernevig, J. Orenstein, Shou-Cheng Zhang · 1 voice · 2 citations
Chemistry · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Condensed Matter Physics #Advanced NMR Techniques and Applications #Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism

paper · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.97.236601

openalex publication_date 2006/12/04 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

Spin-orbit coupled systems generally break the spin rotation symmetry. However, for a model with equal Rashba and Dresselhauss coupling constants, and for the [110] Dresselhauss model, a new type of SU(2) spin rotation symmetry is discovered. This symmetry is robust against spin-independent disorder and interactions and is generated by operators whose wave vector depends on the coupling strength. It renders the spin lifetime infinite at this wave vector, giving rise to a persistent spin helix. We obtain the spin fluctuation dynamics at, and away from, the symmetry point and suggest experiments to observe the persistent spin helix.

Citations

• Spin Current and Polarization in Impure Two-Dimensional Electron Systems with Spin-Orbit Coupling
• Quantum field-theoretical methods in transport theory of metals
• Current-Induced Spin Polarization in Strained Semiconductors
• Dissipationless Quantum Spin Current at Room Temperature

Cited by

• Lasing in the Rashba-Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling regime in a\n dye-filled liquid crystal optical microcavity
• Magnetoelectric effects in Josephson junctions

Discussions

• In 2D condensed matter systems, you can write down a combination of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) terms at band-extrema which together have an $SU(2)$ . This is considered interesting since the coupling b [stackexchange, 1 points]

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