The Fractional Quantum Hall Effect (FQHE) is a quantum phenomenon observed in two-dimensional electron systems subjected to very strong magnetic fields and extremely low temperatures. Unlike the integer version, which can be explained by non-interacting electrons, the FQHE arises from strong interactions between electrons.
In this regime, electrons form highly correlated, collective quantum states that give rise to new quasiparticles—emergent excitations that behave as if they carry a fraction of the elementary electric charge. These fractional charges are not due to the division of an actual electron, but rather a manifestation of the system’s quantum behavior.
The FQHE is a hallmark of topological order and cannot be understood using single-particle physics. It demonstrates how new quantum states of matter can emerge purely from interaction effects and provides a platform for studying exotic physics, including potential applications in fault-tolerant quantum computing.