Zeeman spin splittings with persistent spin textures in antiferromagnetic semiconductors

Realizing sizable Zeeman spin splittings (ZSSs) with persistent spin textures (PSTs) in semiconductors is promising for the design of high-performance spintronic devices. The ZSSs of this kind have long been known in ferromagnetic semiconductors, while whether antiferromagnetic semiconductors---much more plenteous than ferromagnetic semiconductors---can host an analogous effect remains elusive. Here, we show that such ZSSs can occur in antiferromagnetic semiconductors. By symmetry analysis, we find 12 magnetic point groups that can host ZSSs and PSTs, providing theoretical guidelines for screening the corresponding antiferromagnets. Our first-principles calculations further confirm ${\mathrm{CaTcO}}_{3}$ as an antiferromagnetic semiconductor showcasing ZSSs that are sizable (tens of meV), possibly controllable by a magnetic field, and accompanied with PSTs. Our work thus may open a route towards the application of antiferromagnetic semiconductors in spintronics.