Many skyrmion wave functions and skyrmion statistics in quantum Hall ferromagnets

TL;DR

This paper calculates the charge and statistics of skyrmions in quantum Hall ferromagnets, showing they are independent of skyrmion size and match Laughlin quasiparticles, challenging previous claims.

Contribution

It provides a microscopic Berry phase analysis of skyrmion properties, clarifying their charge and statistical angle independence from size in quantum Hall systems.

Findings

Skyrmion charge equals that of Laughlin quasiparticles.

Skyrmion statistical angle is size-independent.

Contradicts previous claims about skyrmion size dependence.

Abstract

We determine the charge and statistical angle of skyrmions in quantum Hall ferromagnets by performing Berry phase calculations based on the microscopic variational wave functions for many-skyrmion states. We find, in contradiction to a recent claim by Dziarmaga, that both the charge and the statistical angle of a skyrmion are independent of its spin (size), and are identical to those of Laughlin quasiparticles at the same filling factor. We discuss some subtleties in the use of these variational wave functions.