Fractionalized anyons in counterflowing Quantum Hall Liquids

TL;DR

This paper develops a theory for multicomponent counterflow states in Quantum Hall systems, showing how quasiparticles can fractionalize into vortices with fractional charge and statistics, revealing a phase transition between confined and unconfined anyon phases.

Contribution

It introduces a new theoretical framework for fractionalization of quasiparticles in counterflow Quantum Hall states and identifies a quantum phase transition between different topological orders.

Findings

Identification of two distinct phases with confined and unconfined anyons

Prediction of fractional vortices carrying fractional charge and statistics

Description of a quantum phase transition separating these phases

Abstract

A key property of topologically ordered systems, such as Quantum Hall states, is the existence of excitations obeying fractional quantum statistics - anyons. We develop a theory for multicomponent counterflow states where an ordinary Laughlin quasiparticle can split into fractional vortices carrying fractions of its charge and statistical angle. There are two phases, separated by a quantum phase transition, where in the first, although observable, the fractionalized charges are asymptotically confined. In the second phase, they are unconfined anyons and the topological order is different from that of the Laughlin state.