Fractionalized excitations in the quantum Hall effect

One of the basic tenets of Condensed matter Physics is the classification of matter into phases exhibiting certain universal behaviour.  Examples of phases of matter include crystalline solid, superconductor, and ferromagnet.  A new class of materials was discovered in the recent decades, called topological phases, which challenges the conventional paradigms regarding phases of matter.  Contrast to the conventional phases, topological phases possess striking behaviour such as fractionalized charges and anomalous surface properties.

 In this talk, I will present various exotic phenomena within the quantum Hall effect--an archetypical example of topological phases--and their potential application in quantum information.  I will highlight some of the theoretical tools used to characterize and study quantum Hall systems, in particular the enigmatic 12/5 and the elusive 13/5 filling plateaus.  I will also discuss potential experimental probes for fractional charges.