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Gauge symmetry breaking and topological quantization for the Pauli Hamiltonian

Abstract:

We discuss the Pauli Hamiltonian within a SU(2) gauge theory interpretation, where the gauge symmetry is broken. This interpretation carries directly over to the structural inversion asymmetric spin-orbit interactions in semiconductors and offers new insight into the problem of spin currents in the condensed-matter environment. The central result is that symmetry breaking leads to zero spin conductivity in contrast to pbkp_redictions of gauge symmetric treatments. Computing the translation operator commutation relations comprising the simplest possible structural inversion asymmetry due to an external electric field, we derive a new condition for orbit quantization. The relation between the topological nature of this effect is consistent with our non-Abelian gauge symmetry breaking scenario. © 2008 Europhysics Letters Association.