Hidden physical effects in noncentrosymmetric crystals

Abstract

Symmetry forbidden effects in crystals may emerge in a local environment that breaks the symmetries. Yet these hidden physical effects were only discussed in centrosymmetric crystals. Here we propose that hidden physical effects can be generalized to almost all crystallographic symmetric groups and hence reveal their universality and diversity. We systematically discuss certain symmetries in crystals that may induce hidden spin polarization (HSP), hidden Berry curvature, and hidden valley polarization, with a focus on a specific pattern of HSP whose winding directions of the in-plane spin vectors are the same for adjacent bands, dubbed anomalous HSP. Such an unprecedented spin pattern arises from relatively weak spin-dependent intersector interaction and is demonstrated in mirror-symmetric InSe by first-principles calculations. Unique electric field dependent splitting into specific spatial polarization patterns may serve as an experimental signature of anomalous HSP. Our results reveal abundant hidden physical effects beyond centrosymmetric crystals and provide platforms to discuss them for emergent physical effects and future applications.