Topological Weaire–Thorpe models of amorphous matter

Abstract

Amorphous solids remain outside of the classification and systematic discovery of new topological materials, partially due to the lack of realistic models that are analytically tractable. Here we introduce the topological Weaire–Thorpe class of models, which are defined on amorphous lattices with fixed coordination number, a realistic feature of covalently bonded amorphous solids. Their short-range properties allow us to analytically predict spectral gaps. Their symmetry under permutation of orbitals allows us to analytically compute topological phase diagrams, which determine quantized observables like circular dichroism, by introducing symmetry indicators in amorphous systems. These models and our procedures to define invariants are generalizable to higher coordination number and dimensions, opening a route toward a complete classification of amorphous topological states in real space using quasilocal properties.