Elastoconductivity As A Probe of Broken Mirror Symmetries

We propose the possible detection of broken mirror symmetries in correlated two-dimensional materials by elastotransport measurements. Using linear response theory we calculate the "shear conductivity" Gamma(xx,) (xy), defined as the linear change of the longitudinal conductivity sigma(xx) due to a shear strain c(xy). This quantity can only be nonvanishing when in-plane mirror symmetries are broken and we discuss how candidate states in the cuprate pseudogap regime (e.g., various loop current or charge orders) may exhibit a finite shear conductivity. We also provide a realistic experimental protocol for detecting such a response.