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Nearest-neighbor interacting S = 1/2 spins on the ideal Kagom\'{e} latticeare predicted to form a variety of novel quantum entangled states, includingquantum spin-liquid (SL) and valence bond solid (VBS) phases. In realmaterials, the presence of additional perturbative spin interactions mayfurther expand the variety of entangled states, which recent theoreticalanalyses show are identifiable through the spontaneous loss of particulardiscrete point group symmetries. Here we comprehensively resolve the groundstate point group symmetries of the prototypical Kagom\'{e} SL candidateZnCu$_3$(OH)$_6$Cl$_2$ (Herbertsmithite) using a combination of opticalellipsometry and wavelength-dependent multi-harmonic optical polarimetry. Weuncover a subtle parity breaking monoclinic structural distortion at atemperature above the nearest-neighbor exchange energy scale. Surprisingly, theparity-breaking order parameter is dramatically enhanced upon cooling andclosely tracks the build-up of nearest-neighbor spin correlations, suggestingthat it is energetically favored by the SL state. The refined low temperaturesymmetry group greatly restricts the number of viable ground states, and, inthe perturbative limit, points toward the formation of a nematic $Z_2$ stripedSL ground state - a SL analogue of a liquid crystal.

Evidence for a Parity Broken Monoclinic Ground State in the S = 1/2 Kagom\'{e} Antiferromagnet Herbertsmithite