Proposed experiments to probe the non-abelian ν=5/2 quantum Hall state

TL;DR

The non-Abelian nature of quasiparticles in the fractional quantum Hall state at nu = 5/2 is tested and analogous effects in the thermodynamic properties of closed systems are found.

Abstract

We propose several experiments to test the non-abelian nature of quasi-particles in the fractional quantum Hall state of ν=5/2. One set of experiments studies interference contribution to back-scattering of current, and is a simplified version of an experiment suggested recently. Another set looks at thermodynamic properties of a closed system. Both experiments are only weakly sensitive to disorder-induced distribution of localized quasi-particles.

Figures (1)

• Figure 1: Experimental set-up for measuring the interference contribution to the back-scattered current. Current flows along the lower edge, heading rightwards, and is backscattered by two quantum point contacts. The "island" is defined by the two quantum point contacts and the two edges. The anti-dot at the center of the island is coupled to an air-bridge gate that controls the number of $e/4$-charged quasi-particles that it localizes. A voltage $V_S$ applied to a side gate varies the size of the "island".