Fractionalization in the cuprates: Detecting the topological order

The precise theoretical characterization of a fractionalized phase in spatial dimensions higher than one is through the concept of topological order We describe a physical effect that is a robust and a direct consequence of this hidden order that should enable a precise experimental characterization of fractionalized phases, fn particular, we propose specific ''smoking-gun experiments to unambiguously settle the issue of electron fractionalization in the underdoped cuprates.