Fractional edge reconstruction in integer quantum Hall phases
Udit Khanna, Moshe Goldstein, Yuval Gefen
Abstract
Protected edge modes are the cornerstone of topological states of matter. The simplest example is provided by the integer quantum Hall state at Landau level filling unity, which should feature a single chiral mode carrying electronic excitations. In the presence of a smooth confining potential it was hitherto believed that this picture may only be partially modified by the appearance of additional counterpropagating integer-charge modes. Here, we demonstrate the breakdown of this paradigm: The system favors the formation of edge modes supporting fractional excitations. This accounts for previous observations, and leads to additional predictions amenable to experimental tests.
Topics & Concepts
Quantum Hall effectInteger (computer science)Enhanced Data Rates for GSM EvolutionPhysicsCharge (physics)Half-integerFractional quantum Hall effectMode (computer interface)Quantum mechanicsQuantumLandau quantizationState (computer science)Condensed matter physicsTopology (electrical circuits)Quantum spin Hall effectMathematicsElectronCombinatoricsComputer scienceTelecommunicationsAlgorithmProgramming languageOperating systemQuantum and electron transport phenomenaTopological Materials and PhenomenaQuantum Information and Cryptography