Symmetry-imposed shape of linear response tensors

Abstract

A scheme suggested in the literature to determine the symmetry-imposed shape of linear response tensors is revised and extended to allow for the treatment of more complex situations. The extended scheme is applied to discuss the shape of the spin conductivity tensor for all magnetic space groups. This allows in particular investigating the character of longitudinal as well as transverse spin transport for arbitrary crystal structure and magnetic order that give rise e.g.\ to the spin Hall, Nernst and the spin-dependent Seebeck effects. In addition we draw attention to a new longitudinal spin transport phenomenon occurring in certain nonmagnetic solids.