Intertwining exotic quantum order and nontrivial topology is at the frontier of condensed matter physics [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] . A charge density wave (CDW) like order with orbital currents has been proposed as a powerful resource for topological states in the context of the quantum anomalous Hall effect 5,6 and for the hidden matter in the pseudogap phase of cuprate superconductors 7,8 . However, the experimental realization of such topological charge order is challenging. Here we use high-resolution scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) to discover a topological charge order in a kagome superconductor 21-25 KV3Sb5. Through both lattice-sensitive topography and electronic-sensitive spectroscopic imaging, we observe a 2×2 superlattice, consistent with the star of David deformation in the underlying kagome lattice. Spectroscopically, an energy gap opens at the Fermi level, across which the charge modulation exhibits an intensity reversal, signaling a charge ordering. The strength of charge modulations further displays a clockwise or anticlockwise chiral anisotropy, which we demonstrate can be switched by an applied magnetic field. Our observations and theoretical analysis point to a topological charge order in the frustrated kagome lattice, which not only leads to a giant anomalous Hall effect, but can also be a strong precursor of unconventional superconductivity.

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Exploration of the topological quantum materials with electron correlation is at the frontier of physics, as the strong interaction may give rise to new topological phases and transitions. Here we report that a family of kagome magnets RMn 6 Sn 6 manifest the quantum transport properties analogical to those in the quantum-limit Chern magnet TbMn 6 Sn 6 . The topological transport in the family, including quantum oscillations with nontrivial Berry phase and large anomalous Hall effect arising from Berry curvature field, points to the existence of Chern gapped Dirac fermions. Our observation demonstrates a close relationship between rare-earth magnetism and topological electron structure, indicating the rare-earth elements can effectively engineer the Chern quantum phase in kagome magnets.