Correlated composite approach to fractional quantum Hall effect via edge current

TL;DR

This paper presents a correlated composite model based on edge current dynamics to explain the fractional quantum Hall effect, including plateau widths, energy gaps, and Hall resistivity, emphasizing the role of multi-particle correlations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel composite edge-current model incorporating correlations and Zeeman interactions to explain FQHE features more comprehensively than previous theories.

Findings

Odd denominator Hall plateaus arise from Zeeman interactions of composites.

Plateau widths and energy gaps are linked to correlation strengths.

Drude-like behavior at half-filling results from equal multi-particle correlation strength.

Abstract

The fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE) is extensively studied, but the explanation for Hall plateau widths and excitation energy gaps remains elusive. We study the effective theory of FQHE built upon experimental inputs of Hall current distribution, edge dynamics, and many-body correlations. We argue that correlated composites of integer spin, comprising electrons and their images, localized at the edge of the incompressible strip are the basic transport entity. We show in the lowest Landau level that Zeeman interactions of these composites produce all odd denominator plateaus and effective fractional charges. Utilizing field-dependent chemical potential and effective g-factor, we fully explain the observed Hall resistivity curve and excitation energy gaps of the half-filling family. The plateau heights are systematically generated by multi-particle correlations, whereas the plateau widths and excitation energy gaps are determined by the correlation strengths. We explicitly show that the Drude-like behavior at half-filling follows from equal strength of multi-particle correlations.