We propose that the inversion symmetry of the graphene honeycomb lattice is spontaneously broken via a magnetic-field-dependent Peierls distortion. This leads to valley splitting of the $n=0$ Landau level but not of the other Landau levels. Compared to quantum Hall valley ferromagnetism recently discussed in the literature, lattice distortion provides an alternative explanation to all of the currently observed quantum Hall plateaus in graphene.

• Received 19 July 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.016803