Disorder-Induced Topological Transitions in a Multilayer Topological Insulator

Abstract

We examine the impact of non-magnetic disorder on the electronic states of a multilayer structure comprising layers of both topological and conventional band insulators. Employing the Burkov-Balents model with renormalized tunneling parameters, we generate phase diagrams correlating with disorder, demonstrating that non-magnetic disorder can induce transitions between distinct topological phases. The subsequent section of our investigation focuses on the scenario where disorder is unevenly distributed across layers, resulting in fluctuations of the interlayer tunneling parameter - termed off-diagonal disorder. Furthermore, we determine the density of states employing the self-consistent single-site diagram technique, expanding the Green function in relation to the interlayer tunneling parameter (locator method). Our findings reveal that off-diagonal disorder engenders delocalized bulk states within the band gap. The emergence of these states may lead to the breakdown of the anomalous quantum Hall effect (AQHE) phase, a phenomenon that has garnered significant attention from researchers in the realm of topological heterostructures. Nonetheless, our results affirm the stability of the Weyl semimetal phase even under substantial off-diagonal disorder.

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