Electrons and holes in phosphorene

We present a symmetry analysis of electronic bandstructure including spin-orbit interaction close to the insulating gap edge in monolayer black phosphorus ('phosphorene'). Expressions for energy dispersion relation and spin-dependent eigenstates for electrons and holes are found via simplification of a perturbative expansion in wavevector $k$ away from the zone center using elementary group theory. Importantly, we expose the underlying symmetries giving rise to substantial anisotropy in optical absorption, charge and spin transport properties, and reveal the mechanism responsible for valence band distortion and possible lack of a true direct gap.