Abstract

We propose that light can break mirror symmetries and combining symmetries with a uniform time translation, and their breaking is characterized by an off-diagonal charge conductivity. Taking periodically driven graphene as an example, we show that mirror symmetries about the xz and yz planes and the combining symmetries, the symmetries of combinations of the mirror operations about these planes and a uniform time translation, can be broken by linearly or circularly polarized light. We also show that this symmetry breaking induces the time-averaged off-diagonal symmetric or antisymmetric charge conductivity in a nonequilibrium steady state with linearly or circularly, respectively, polarized light. Our results are experimentally testable in pump-probe measurements. This work will pave the way for controlling mirror symmetries via light and utilizing the light-induced mirror symmetry breaking.

Abstract

We propose that light can break mirror symmetries and combining symmetries with a uniform time translation, and their breaking is characterized by an off-diagonal charge conductivity. Taking periodically driven graphene as an example, we show that mirror symmetries about the xz and yz planes and the combining symmetries, the symmetries of combinations of the mirror operations about these planes and a uniform time translation, can be broken by linearly or circularly polarized light. We also show that this symmetry breaking induces the time-averaged off-diagonal symmetric or antisymmetric charge conductivity in a nonequilibrium steady state with linearly or circularly, respectively, polarized light. Our results are experimentally testable in pump-probe measurements. This work will pave the way for controlling mirror symmetries via light and utilizing the light-induced mirror symmetry breaking.

Abstract

We propose that light can break mirror symmetries and combining symmetries with a uniform time translation, and their breaking is characterized by an off-diagonal charge conductivity. Taking periodically driven graphene as an example, we show that mirror symmetries about the xz and yz planes and the combining symmetries, the symmetries of combinations of the mirror operations about these planes and a uniform time translation, can be broken by linearly or circularly polarized light. We also show that this symmetry breaking induces the time-averaged off-diagonal symmetric or antisymmetric charge conductivity in a nonequilibrium steady state with linearly or circularly, respectively, polarized light. Our results are experimentally testable in pump-probe measurements. This work will pave the way for controlling mirror symmetries via light and utilizing the light-induced mirror symmetry breaking.

Abstract

We propose that light can break mirror symmetries and combining symmetries with a uniform time translation, and their breaking is characterized by an off-diagonal charge conductivity. Taking periodically driven graphene as an example, we show that mirror symmetries about the xz and yz planes and the combining symmetries, the symmetries of combinations of the mirror operations about these planes and a uniform time translation, can be broken by linearly or circularly polarized light. We also show that this symmetry breaking induces the time-averaged off-diagonal symmetric or antisymmetric charge conductivity in a nonequilibrium steady state with linearly or circularly, respectively, polarized light. Our results are experimentally testable in pump-probe measurements. This work will pave the way for controlling mirror symmetries via light and utilizing the light-induced mirror symmetry breaking.