Curvature-induced valley-dependent spin-orbit interaction

Abstract

We construct a general theoretical framework for describing curvature-induced spin-orbit interactions on the basis of group theory. Our theory can systematically determine the emergence of spin splitting in the band structure according to symmetry in the wavenumber space and the bending direction of the material. As illustrative examples, we derive the curvature-induced spin-orbit coupling for carbon and silicon nanotubes. Our theory offers a strategy for designing valley-contrasting spin-orbit coupled materials by tuning their curvatures.