Possible observation of phase coexistence of the nu=1/3 fractional quantum Hall liquid and a solid
25 June 2004
We have measured the magnetoresistance of a very low density and extremely high quality two-dimensional hole system. With increasing magnetic field applied perpendicularly to the sample we observe the sequence of insulating, nu=1/3 fractional quantum Hall liquid, and insulating phases. In both of the insulating phases in the vicinity of the nu=1/3 filling the magnetoresistance has an unexpected oscillatory behavior with the magnetic field. These oscillations are not of the Shubnikov-de Haas type and cannot be explained by spin effects. They are most likely the consequence of the formation of a new electronic phase which is intermediate between the correlated Hall liquid and a disorder pinned solid.