Anti-higher-order topological insulators

Abstract

Duality is a fundamental concept in physics that connects complementary opposites like particles and holes. Similarly, while topological states in topological insulators localize at boundaries, the existence and nature of their dual counterparts remain unexplored. Here, we introduce anti-topological states as the dual of topological states, exemplified by anti-higher-order topological insulators. Unlike higher-order topological insulators, where states localize at corners, anti-higher-order topological insulators host states along edges but absent at corners, realizing an inverted distribution of states. We demonstrate this phenomenon in a bilayer Chern insulator with opposite Chern numbers, where the band inversion surfaces enclose distinct high-symmetry points. The topological invariant distinguishing these phases is given by the topological charges enclosed by band inversion surfaces. This work establishes anti-topology as a new paradigm, opening a chapter in topological research.