Electron Fractionalization and Crystallization in Moiré Quantum Matter
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reddy-areddy-phd-physics-2026-thesis.pdf
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41.97 MB
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Author(s)
Reddy, Aidan P.
Advisor(s)
Fu, Liang
Date Issued
May 2026
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Fractional quantum Hall states are the primary examples of topological order and electron fractionalization observed in real materials. A series of breakthrough 2023 experiments on twisted bilayer MoTe₂, a moiré material with flat Chern bands, discovered fractional quantum anomalous Hall states in the absence of an applied magnetic field. In this thesis, I theoretically investigate the quantum phase diagram of twisted bilayer MoTe₂, primarily using exact diagonalization calculations. I show that the system hosts a variety of topological, correlated phases including fractional quantum anomalous Hall states, electron crystals, and anomalous composite Fermi liquids. I determine how tunable parameters like interlayer twist control the competition among these phases. Further, I identify microscopic mechanisms that govern this competition, including Hartree-Fock self-energy and particle-hole asymmetry. Beyond the flat Chern bands of twisted bilayer MoTe₂, I study charge-ordered states driven by strong interactions in non-topological semiconductor moiré systems and the competition between quantum Hall states and Wigner crystals at integer Landau level filling in the two-dimensional electron gas.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Physics
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