Transitions between fractional and integer quantum Hall states in a lateral superlattice potential

Abstract

The dominance of Coulomb correlations over single-particle energies characterizes the fractional quantum Hall regime. In experiments controllable single-particle energies are available from a tunable superlattice potential. We study the transition from fractional to integer quantum Hall states at filling factor ν= 1 3 driven by the amplitude of a commensurate lateral superlattice with three flux quanta per unit cell. Our numerical results indicate a continuous quantum phase transition at a critical amplitude of the superlattice potential.