Abstract
We report on the effect of in-plane magnetic field B_∥ on stripe phases in higher (N=2,3) Landau levels of a high-mobility 2D electron gas. In accord with previous studies, we find that a modest B_∥ applied parallel to the native stripes aligns them perpendicular to it. However, upon further increase of B_∥, stripes are reoriented back to their native direction. Remarkably, applying B_∥ perpendicular to the native stripes also aligns stripes parallel to it. Thus, regardless of the initial orientation of stripes with respect to B_∥, stripes are ultimately aligned \emph{parallel} to B_∥. These findings provide evidence for a B_∥-induced symmetry breaking mechanism which challenge current understanding of the role of B_∥ and should be taken into account when determining the strength of the native symmetry breaking potential. Finally, our results might indicate nontrivial coupling between the native and external symmetry breaking fields, which has not yet been theoretically considered.