Mapping topological order in coordinate space

The organization of the electrons in the ground state is classified by means of topological invariants, defined as global properties of the wave function. 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.