Observation of even-denominator fractional quantum Hall states at ν = 3/4 and 5/4 in the lowest Landau level

Abstract Two-dimensional electron systems (2DESs) confined to wide GaAs quantum wells provide a unique platform to study exotic fractional quantum Hall states (FQHSs) because the 2DES has a bilayer charge distribution with significant interlayer tunneling. Precise control over the 2DES density allows the tuning of the interlayer tunneling over a wide range. Here, we present our discovery of new even-denominator FQHSs in the lowest Landau level (orbital index N = 0) at filling factors ν = 3/4 and 5/4 in an ultrahigh-quality 2DES confined to a 72.5-nm-wide GaAs quantum well. The ground states at v = 3/4 and 5/4 both evolve from composite fermion Fermi seas to FQHSs as the density is raised so that interlayer tunneling is sufficiently reduced and the 2DES becomes two-component, signaled by the behavior of the FQHSs flanking v = 3/4 and 5/4. The two-component nature of the v = 3/4 and 5/4 FQHSs is also evident from their extreme sensitivity to the bilayer charge distribution symmetry: both states disappear quickly when the charge distribution is made asymmetric by only ≅2%. We find a natural explanation for the 3/4 and 5/4 FQHSs in terms of two states linked by particle-hole symmetry, and using the Scarola-Jain bilayer composite fermion framework which is a generalization of the well-known, two-component, Halperin state (ψ 331 state). Our observations elucidate the crucial role of competing energy and length scales in wide quantum wells in stabilizing new ground states.