Impact of spin-orbit coupling on quantum hall nematic phases

Anisotropic charge transport is observed in a two-dimensional (2D) hole system in a perpendicular magnetic field at filling factors ν=7/2, ν=11/2, and ν=13/2 at low temperature. In stark contrast, the transport at ν=9/2 is isotropic for all temperatures. Isotropic hole transport at ν=7/2 is restored for sufficiently low 2D densities or an asymmetric confining potential. The density and symmetry dependences of the observed anisotropies suggest that strong spin-orbit coupling in the hole system contributes to the unusual transport behavior.