Premium
Analogies between Jahn–Teller and Rashba spin physics
Author(s) -
Stroppa Alessandro,
Barone Paolo,
Di Sante Domenico,
Cuoco Mario,
Picozzi Silvia,
Whangbo MyungHwan
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of quantum chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.484
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-461X
pISSN - 0020-7608
DOI - 10.1002/qua.25209
Subject(s) - analogy , jahn–teller effect , physics , spin (aerodynamics) , texture (cosmology) , homogeneous space , theoretical physics , condensed matter physics , distortion (music) , quantum mechanics , epistemology , mathematics , image (mathematics) , computer science , geometry , artificial intelligence , ion , amplifier , philosophy , optoelectronics , cmos , thermodynamics
In developing physical theories, analogical reasoning has been found to be very powerful, as attested by a number of important historical examples. An analogy between two apparently different phenomena, once established, allows one to transfer information and bring new concepts from one phenomenon to the other. Here, we discuss an important analogy between two widely different physical problems, namely, the Jahn–Teller distortion in molecular physics and the Rashba spin splitting in condensed matter physics. By exploring their conceptual and mathematical features and by searching for the counterparts between them, we examine the orbital texture in Jahn–Teller systems, as the counterpart of the spin texture of the Rashba physics, and put forward a possible way of experimentally detecting the orbital texture. Finally, we discuss the analogy by comparing the coexistence of linear Rashba + Dresselhaus effects and Jahn–Teller problems for specific symmetries, which allow for nontrivial spin and orbital textures, respectively.