Mapping topological order in coordinate space (1111.5697v3)

Abstract: The organization of the electrons in the ground state is classified by means of topological invariants, defined as global properties of the wavefunction. Here we address the Chern number of a two-dimensional insulator and we show that the corresponding topological order can be mapped by means of a "topological marker", defined in $\r$-space, and which may vary in different regions of the same sample. Notably, this applies equally well to periodic and open boundary conditions. Simulations over a model Hamiltonian validate our theory.