Energetics of Pfaffian-AntiPfaffian Domains

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether Pfaffian and AntiPfaffian domains can form in the nu=5/2 quantum Hall state due to disorder, concluding that such domains are energetically unfavorable under experimental conditions.

Contribution

It provides a numerical analysis of the energetics of Pfaffian-AntiPfaffian domain formation, challenging previous hypotheses about their coexistence in experiments.

Findings

Domains are energetically unfavorable for experimental parameters

Numerical results do not support spontaneous domain formation

Disorder alone unlikely causes observed domain structures

Abstract

In several recent works it has been proposed that, due to disorder, the experimentally observed nu=5/2 quantum Hall state could be microscopically composed of domains of Pfaffian order along with domains of AntiPfaffian order. We numerically examine the energetics required for forming such domains and conclude that for the parameters appropriate for recent experiments, such domains would not occur.