# Symmetry arguments for valley physics in graphene with broken inversion

I am trying to understand this paper: http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.236809

(Here is an arXiv version: http://arxiv.org/abs/0709.1274)

In the introduction, they mention certain symmetry arguments (the two paragraphs in the second column of the first page). Unfortunately, I am ill-equipped to understand these symmetry arguments. Would it be possible for an expert to walk me through these two paragraphs?

I am sorry if this is a poorly worded question (this is my first post here).

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As per the comments, I am copying the relevant paragraphs here:

Before starting specific calculations, it will be instructive to make some general symmetry analysis. A valley contrasting magnetic moment has the relation $\mathfrak{m}_v=\chi \tau_z$, where $\tau_z = \pm 1$ labels the two valleys and $\chi$ is a coefficient characterizing the material. Under time reversal, $\mathfrak{m}_v$ changes sign, and so does $\tau_z$ (the two valleys switch when the crystal momentum changes sign). Therefore, $\chi$ can be non-zero even if the system is non-magnetic. Under spatial inversion, only $\tau_z$ changes sign. Therefore $\mathfrak{m}_v$ can be nonzero only in systems with broken inversion symmetry.

Inversion symmetry breaking simultaneously allows a valley Hall effect, with $\mathbf j^v = \sigma^v_H \hat{\mathbf z} \times \mathbf E$, where $\sigma^v_H$ is the transport coefficient (valley Hall conductivity), and the valley current $\mathbf j^v$ is defined as the average of the valley index times the velocity operator. Under time reversal, both the valley current and electric field are invariant. Under spatial inversion, the valley current is still invariant but the electric field changes sign. Therefore, the valley Hall conductivity can be non-zero when the inversion symmetry is broken, even if the time reversal symmetry remains.''

• Every reader of this post won't have access to PRL (there is a paywall). Can you block quote the arguments, and specifically ask what exactly you aren't understanding there. – 299792458 May 6 '15 at 4:08

First they say that if a valley contrasting magnetic moment is to exist, it must be expressible in the form ${\frak m}=\chi\tau$ (where $\chi$ is an irrelevant material-related constant), since then magnetic moments are obviously opposite in opposite valleys. Then they look at the lhs and rhs separately upon performing a symmetry operation. If you reverse time, magnetic moments must flip since angular momentum, which is a fundamental source of these moments, will be reversed. On the other hand, time reversal also leads to the reversal of linear momentum, which in turn causes the valleys to get swapped, since they are nothing else other than opposite points in the momentum space. Therefore, under time reversal both the lhs and the rhs yield a minus sign, rendering the above equation consistent. Therefore, systems with valley-contrasting magnetic moments can have time-reversal symmetry, which is unusual given that magnetic systems usually do not posses this symmetry.