Topological Defects : Creating and Imaging Quantum Matter

The tenfold classification of insulators and superconductors provides a useful and elegant framework to study topological features. It allows to characterise quantum materials according to specific symmetries (e.g. time reversal, particle-hole and chiral) and spatial dimension. We show that it is possible to build on demand topological quantum materials by introducing specific and properly tailored defects and textures (e.g vortices, kinks, domain walls, vacancies) so as to navigate on the tenfold classification through modifications of symmetries and of effective spatial dimensions.