Quantized charge fractionalization at quantum Hall Y junctions in the disorder dominated regime

Fractionalization is a phenomenon where an elementary excitation partitions into several pieces. This picture explains non-trivial transport through a junction of one-dimensional edge channels defined by topologically distinct quantum Hall states, for example, a hole-conjugate state at Landau-level filling factor nu = 2/3. Here we employ a time-resolved scheme to identify an elementary fractionalization process; injection of charge q from a non-interaction region into an interacting and scattering region of one-dimensional channels results in the formation of a collective excitation with charge (1-r)q by reflecting fractionalized charge rq. The fractionalization factors, r=0.340.03 for nu = 2/3 and r=0.49 +/- 0.03 for nu = 2, are consistent with the quantized values of 1/3 and 1/2, respectively, which are expected in the disorder dominated regime. The scheme can be used for generating and transporting fractionalized charges with a well-defined time course along a well-defined path. Previous work has focused on charge fractionalization in quantum Hall edge channels coupled by Coulomb interaction without inter-channel tunneling. Here, the authors investigate the regime of disorder-induced tunneling, demonstrating robust fractionalization in the hole-conjugate state at filling factor 2/3.

Automated summary

Fractionalization is a phenomenon where an elementary excitation partitions into several pieces, explaining non-trivial transport through one-dimensional edge channels in quantum Hall states. By injecting charge q from a non-interaction region into an interacting and scattering region, a collective excitation with charge (1-r)q is formed by reflecting fractionalized charge rq, with fractionalization factors consistent with quantized values. The scheme allows for generating and transporting fractionalized charges along a well-defined path, demonstrating robust fractionalization in the hole-conjugate state at filling factor 2/3.