Spatial symmetry modulation of planar Hall effect in Weyl semimetals
Yi-Wen Wei, Ji Feng, Hongming Weng
Abstract
The planar Hall effect in Weyl semimetals has been proposed as a key feature of chiral anomaly and nontrivial Berry curvature, while the effect of fundamental spatial symmetry remains to be explored. Here, we show with general symmetry analysis and lattice model calculations that the planar Hall effect can be significantly modulated by a certain class of spatial symmetry operations. The odd terms of conductivity with respect to magnetic field, including the linear terms, vanish in the plane perpendicular to the axis of twofold rotation (${C}_{2}$) or the ${C}_{2}$ combined symmetry operations (mirror, twofold screw rotation, glide plane). When applying the magnetic field perpendicular to the glide plane, we find that the planar Hall conductivity in bulk forbidden by glide symmetry becomes nonzero in its quasi-two-dimensional counterpart with broken glide symmetry. It is further clarified that the nonzero planar Hall conductivity comes from surface states. This signature can be used to distinguish bulk and surface transport in Weyl semimetals.