We propose to realize the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) in two-dimensional compensated antiferromagnets without net spin magnetization.} We consider antiferromagnetic MnBi2Te4 as a concrete example. \textcolor{blue}{By breaking the parity-time (PT) symmetry of even-layer MnBi2Te4, we find that the system can host the QAHE with a nonzero Chern number.} We show that by controlling the antiferromagnetic spin configuration, for example, down/up/up/down that breaks PT symmetry, tetralayer MnBi2Te4 can host a Chern number C=−1. Such spin configuration can be stabilized by pinning the spin orientations of the surfaces. \textcolor{blue}{Furthermore, via tuning the on-site orbital energy and vertical electric fields, we find rich QAHE phases with tunable Chern number of ∣C∣=1,2,3. In addition, we reveal that the edge states are layer-selective and primarily locate at the boundaries of the bottom and top layers. Our work not only proposes a scheme to realize Chern number tunable QAHE in antiferromagnets without net spin magnetization, but also provides a platform for layer-selective dissipationless transport devices.
@article{arxiv.2404.13305,
title = {Chern Number Tunable Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect in Compensated Antiferromagnets},
author = {Wenhao Liang and Jiaqi An and Zeyu Li and Yafei Ren and Zhenhua Qiao and Qian Niu},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2404.13305},
year = {2025}
}