Harvard University

Title: Spin symmetry breaking in bilayer quantum Hall systems

Abstract: Based on the construction of generalized Halperin wave functions, the possible existence of a large class of broken spin symmetry states in bilayer quantum Hall structures is predicted, generalizing the recently suggested canted antiferromgnetic phase to many fractional fillings. The appropriate Chern-Simons theory is developed, and it is found that the charged excitations are bimerons with continuously tunable (through the canted antiferromagnetic order parameter) electric charge on the individual merons.