Quantum spin Hall effect protected by spin U(1) quasi-symmetry

Quantum spin Hall (QSH) effect, where electrons with opposite spin channels are deflected to opposite sides of a two-dimensional system with a quantized conductance, was believed to be characterized by a nontrivial topological index Z_2. However, spin mixing effects in realistic materials often lead to deviation of the spin Hall conductance from exact quantization. In this Letter, we present a universal symmetry indicator for diagnosing QSH effect in realistic materials, termed spin U(1) quasi-symmetry. Such a symmetry eliminates the first-order spin-mixing perturbation and thus protects the near-quantization of SHC, applicable to time-reversal-preserved cases with either Z_2=1 or Z_2=0, as well as time-reversal-broken scenarios. We propose that spin U(1) quasi-symmetry is hidden in the subspace spanned by the doublets with unquenched orbital momentum and emerges when SOC is present, which can be realized in 19 crystallographic point groups. Particularly, we identify a previous overlooked even spin Chern phase with a trivial Z_2 index as an ideal platform for achieving a near-double-quantized SHC, as exemplified by twisted bilayer transition metal dichalcogenides and monolayer RuBr_3. Our work offers a new perspective for understanding QSH effect and significantly expands the material pool for the screening of exemplary material candidates.