Hypernetted-chain study of broken rotational symmetry states for the ν=1/3 fractional quantum Hall effect and other fractionally filled Landau levels

Abstract

We investigate broken rotational symmetry (BRS) states for the fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE) at 1/3 filling of the valence Landau level (LL). Recent Monte Carlo calculations by Musaelian and Joynt [J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 8, L105 (1996)] suggest that Laughlin's state becomes unstable to a BRS state for some critical finite thickness value. We study in detail the properties of such state by performing a hypernetted-chain calculation that gives results in the thermodynamic limit, complementing other methods which are limited to a finite number of particles. Our results indicate that while Laughlin's state is stable in the lowest LL, in higher LL's a BRS instability occurs, perhaps indicating the absence of FQHE at partial fillings of higher LL's. Possible connections to the newly discovered liquid crystalline phases in higher LL's are also discussed.