We study the stability of composite fermion fractional quantum Hall states in Harper-Hofstadter bands with Chern number
∣C∣>1. From composite fermion theory, states are predicted to be found at filling factors $\ensuremath{\nu}=r/(kr|C|+1),r\ensuremath{\in}\mathbb{Z}$, with
k=1 for bosons and
k=2 for fermions. Here, we closely analyze these series in both cases, with contact interactions for bosons and nearest-neighbor interactions for (spinless) fermions. In particular, we analyze how the many-body gap scales as the bands are tuned to the effective continuum limit of Chern number
∣C∣ bands, realized near flux density ${n}_{\ensuremath{\phi}}=1/|C|$. Near these points, the Hofstadter model requires large magnetic unit cells that yield bands with perfectly flat dispersion and Berry curvature. We exploit the known scaling of energies in the effective continuum limit in order to maintain a fixed square aspect ratio in finite-size calculations. Based on exact diagonalization calculations of the band-projected Hamiltonian for these lattice geometries, we show that for both bosons and fermions, the vast majority of finite-size spectra yield the ground-state degeneracy predicted by composite fermion theory. For the chosen interactions, we confirm that states with filling factor $\ensuremath{\nu}=1/(k|C|+1)$ are the most robust and yield a clear gap in the thermodynamic limit. For bosons with contact interactions in
∣C∣=2 and
∣C∣=3 bands, our data for the composite fermion states are compatible with a finite gap in the thermodynamic limit. We also report new evidence for gapped incompressible states stabilized for fermions with nearest-neighbor interactions in
∣C∣>1 bands. For cases with a clear gap, we confirm that the thermodynamic limit commutes with the effective continuum limit within finite-size error bounds. We analyze the nature of the correlation functions for the Abelian composite fermion states and find that the correlation functions for
∣C∣>1 states are smooth functions for positions separated by
∣C∣ sites along both axes, giving rise to
∣C∣2 sheets; some of which can be related by inversion symmetry. We also comment on two cases which are associated with a bosonic integer quantum Hall effect (BIQHE): For $\ensuremath{\nu}=2$ in
∣C∣=1 bands, we find a strong competing state with a higher ground-state degeneracy, so no clear BIQHE is found in the band-projected Hofstadter model; for $\ensuremath{\nu}=1$ in
∣C∣=2 bands, we present additional data confirming the existence of a BIQHE state.
Lattice models forming bands with higher Chern number offer an intriguing possibility for new phases of matter with no analogue in continuum Landau levels. Here, we establish the existence of a number of new bulk insulating states at fractional filling in flat bands with a Chern number C = N > 1, forming in a recently proposed pyrochlore model with strong spin-orbit coupling. In particular, we find compelling evidence for a series of stable states at ν = 1/(2N + 1) for fermions as well as bosonic states at ν = 1/(N + 1). By examining the topological ground state degeneracies and the excitation structure as well as the entanglement spectrum, we conclude that these states are Abelian. We also explicitly demonstrate that these states are nevertheless qualitatively different from conventional quantum Hall (multilayer) states due to the novel properties of the underlying band structure.
Using the infinite density matrix renormalization group method on an infinite cylinder geometry, we characterize the
1/3 fractional Chern insulator state in the Haldane honeycomb lattice model at $\ensuremath{\nu}=1/3$ filling of the lowest band and check its stability. We investigate the chiral and topological properties of this state through (i) its Hall conductivity, (ii) the topological entanglement entropy, (iii) the
U(1) charge spectral flow of the many-body entanglement spectrum, and (iv) the charge of the anyons. In contrast to numerical methods restricted to small finite sizes, the infinite cylinder geometry allows us to access and characterize directly the metal to fractional Chern insulator transition. We find indications it is first order and no evidence of other competing phases. Since our approach does not rely on any band or subspace projection, we are able to prove the stability of the fractional state in the presence of interactions exceeding the band gap, as has been suggested in the literature. As a by-product we discuss the signatures of Chern insulators within this technique.
The Harper-Hofstadter model provides a fractal spectrum containing topological bands of any integer Chern number C. We study the many-body physics that is realized by interacting particles occupying Harper-Hofstadter bands with |C|>1. We formulate the predictions of Chern-Simons or composite fermion theory in terms of the filling factor ν, defined as the ratio of particle density to the number of single-particle states per unit area. We show that this theory predicts a series of fractional quantum Hall states with filling factors ν=r/(r|C|+1) for bosons, or ν=r/(2r|C|+1) for fermions. This series includes a bosonic integer quantum Hall state in |C|=2 bands. We construct specific cases where a single band of the Harper-Hofstadter model is occupied. For these cases, we provide numerical evidence that several states in this series are realized as incompressible quantum liquids for bosons with contact interactions.
The integer quantum Hall state occurs when Landau levels are fully occupied by fermions, while the fractional quantum Hall state usually emerges when the Landau level is partially filled by strongly correlated fermions or bosons. Here, we report two fractional Chern insulating states of hard-core bosons in a multiband lattice model hosting topological flat bands with a high Chern number. The previously proposed $\ensuremath{\nu}=1/3$ fractional Chern insulating state inherited from the high Chern number
C=2 of the lowest topological flat band is revisited by the infinite density matrix renormalization group algorithm. In particular, we numerically identify a bosonic
1/2-Laughlin-like fractional Chern insulating state at the integer fillings. We show two lower topological flat bands jointly generate an effective
C=1 Chern band with half filling. Furthermore, we find a strictly particle-hole-like symmetry between the $\ensuremath{\nu}$ and $3\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\nu}$ filling in our model. These findings extend our understanding of quantum Hall states and offer a route to realize fractional states in the system with multibands and high Chern numbers.
We present a theory of fractional Chern insulator stabilization against charge-ordered states. We argue that the phase competition is captured by an effective interaction range, which depends on both the bare interaction range and quantum geometric properties. We claim that short effective interaction ranges stabilize fractional states while longer-range interactions favor charge-ordered states. To confirm our hypothesis, we conduct a numerical study of the generalized Hofstadter model using the density matrix renormalization group. Our theory offers an interpretation of the geometric stability hypothesis and generalizes it, providing a unifying framework for several approaches to fractional phase stabilization. Finally, we propose a route toward experimental verification of the theory and possible implications for fractional states in bands with higher Chern numbers.