Phase Diagram of Disordered Three-Dimensional Z2 Topological Insulators

Explore the impact of disorder on the phase diagram of three-dimensional topological insulators in this comprehensive lecture. Delve into the critical point separating Z2 topological and trivial insulator phases, characterized by a Dirac semimetal in 3D. Revisit the structure of the phase diagram for disordered topological insulators in 3D, focusing on the stability of the Dirac semimetal critical point. Review the effects of disorder on Dirac and Weyl semimetals, and discover how non-perturbative effects induce quasi-bound states that destabilize the semimetal for infinitesimal disorder strength. Learn how these results apply to the topological to trivial transition, revealing that non-perturbative effects of disorder dominate in this vicinity. Understand how this critical point transforms into a diffusive metal phase, fundamentally altering the putative phase diagram of disordered Z2 topological insulators.

Jedediah Pixley, Rutgers: Phase diagram of disordered three-dimensional Z2 topological insulators