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Coexistence of topologically nontrivial and trivial insulating states in topological Anderson Chern insulator

Bo Yin, Yan Zhang, Anqi Wang, Jie Shen, Zhijun Wang, and Quansheng Wu*

  • *Contact author: quansheng.wu@iphy.ac.cn
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 033129 – Published 30 July, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/mg7w-sl7q

Abstract

The interplay between disorder and topology has become a central theme in condensed matter physics. Disorder can not only destroy topological phases but also induce them, as exemplified by the topological Anderson insulator (TAI). Here, we show that, in close analogy, disorder can drive the clean-limit, time-reversal-broken (T-broken) quantum spin Hall state of ferromagnetic monolayer MnBi4Te7 into a quantum anomalous Hall phase, which was called topological Anderson Chern insulator (TACI). Using density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green's function calculations in the presence of disorder, we identify disorder-induced phases, including T-broken TAI, TACI, normal insulator, etc., and then construct a comprehensive phase diagram. To discriminate multiple phases in the strong-disorder regime, we further use the density of states computed within the self-consistent Born approximation, which, in particular, distinguishes gapped and ungapped topological phases. We find that the two effective band inversions of Hamiltonian are suppressed at distinct critical disorder strengths; the survival of a single inversion over a finite disorder window stabilizes the TACI. The region of quantized Hall resistance is not confined to the band gap but extends into a mobility gap, substantially enlarging the parameter space exhibiting quantization. Remarkably, at strong disorder, we further propose a zero Hall plateau insulating state characterized by an insulating bulk and edge channels subject to diffusive scattering that can coexist with the TACI. This behavior is distinct from a conventional band-gap Chern insulator and provides a clear experimental signature. Compared with the clean region, the expansion of the energy window supporting the Chern insulator of the disordered region enhances thermal robustness and enables observation of the quantum anomalous Hall effect at higher, technologically relevant temperatures, advancing both fundamental studies and potential applications.

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 033129– Published 30 July, 2026
  • Received 19 December 2025
  • Accepted 21 May 2026
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